Vol. 509 No. 5
70 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the compensation measures, if any, in place for the fishermen who fished for tuna during the 1995 to 1997 period, did not receive permits and now find themselves financially affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20742/99]
EU Regulation 1239/98 lays down technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources. The regulation envisages the phasing out of the driftnet fishery by 1 January 2002. The regulation sets limits on the number of vessels that may participate in the driftnet fishery based on 60 per cent of the number of fishing vessels which used drift nets during the period 1995-1997.
To meet this requirement, the allocation of drift net licences for the 1999 season under the relevant EU regulation was carried out on the basis of objective criteria related to track record in the fishery. Applications were grouped in accordance with criteria advised to applicants, in descending order of priority on the basis of track record of owner-licensee in the fishery as follows: owners-licensees of vessels which fished the driftnet fishery in either 1995, 1996 or 1997 and in 1998; owners-licensees of vessels which fished the driftnet fishery in either 1995, 1996 or 1997, but not in 1998; owners-licensees of vessels which fished the driftnet fishery in 1998 but not in either 1995, 1996 or 1997; owners-licensees of vessels which fished the driftnet fishery pre 1995; and owners-licensees of vessels which never previously fished in the driftnet fishery.
Following assessment of information supplied by applicants in the context of the scheme notified to them, the Department approved the issue of 18 applications. All authorised participants had a track record of participation over the period 1995 – 1997 and had also participated in 1998.
As was the case last year, BIM was again involved this year in conducting assisted fishing trials on alternative methods of fishing for tuna. In total, some 20 vessels were contracted by BIM to carry out tuna diversification trials. In addition, vessel owners were eligible to engage in unassisted exploratory-trial fishing for tuna with methods other than driftnets.
French tuna fishermen from the Ile deY'eau have challenged the Council decision to ban drift net fishing for tuna. The Irish and French Governments have supported this challenge and have submitted their case to the European Court. No dates have yet been notified for the hearing of the case.
