Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Fish Stocks.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

129 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent reports that suggest that, while the world fish catch is an all-time high of 121 million tonnes in 1997, there is in fact a downward spiral in terms of fish stocks in evidence with an increasing proportion of world fish production, currently 20 per cent, of all landings coming from sea farms; the information, if any, he has which would confirm that these findings hold proportionately true in Irish coastal waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15241/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

Global fish production and demand for fish and fish products continues to grow at an exponential rate, with aquaculture production worldwide providing an increasing proportion, now in excess of 25 per cent, of that global production. The depletion of stocks through overfishing worldwide is a worrying trend and Ireland, as a coastal State with particular concerns, continues to be at the forefront in seeking to ensure that EU international regulations optimise the conservation and sustainable development of the fisheries resource. The ongoing growth in aquaculture production will continue to contribute to meeting the gap between supply and demand for fish products and should increasingly over time ease the pressure on stocks at risk from over fishing. The worldwide trend in fish production is mirrored in Ireland in that aquaculture production now amounts to some 10 per cent in volume terms and 30 per cent in value terms of total fish production.