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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 2

Other Questions. - Beam Trawlers.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

34 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether fishing by means of beam trawls is causing damage to some fishing grounds; his further views on the fact that the beam trawler segment of the Irish fishing fleet contains only six vessels; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dozens of vessels, mainly from the south-east, are engaged in beam trawling; and the results of the comprehensive analysis which he stated some time ago was being undertaken on this issue and which was to be completed by mid-2000. [16629/00]

Complaints have been made by fishermen who use other types of gear, about alleged damage to fishing grounds caused by vessels which engage in beam trawling. These criticisms are rejected by the beam trawling sector. In the interests of better co-operation between Irish fishermen using different types of gear in shared fisheries, my Department has encouraged dialogue between beam trawler owners and other fishermen. We will continue to facilitate further discussions.

As I have previously advised the Deputy, there are six vessels in the dedicated beam trawler segment of the Irish fishing fleet. There are also a number of vessels in the polyvalent segment of the fleet which are not precluded from fishing by means of beam trawls, or which are permitted to engage in beam trawling for a proportion of their fishing time. Quantification of the number of such vessels is under way in my Department as part of a comprehensive analysis of beam trawl entitlements within the polyvalent segment. This analysis has proved more complex and time consuming than anticipated originally, but the aim is to complete the work by September and we will provide the Deputy with comprehensive information at that stage.

Does the Minister accept that there seems to be no urgency on his part or on the part of his Department in dealing with this problem; as a consequence of this problem the fishing grounds in the south-west are being damaged; and there is a suspicion in the south-west that there is a conspiracy afoot because there are supposed to be only six beam trawlers licensed in Ireland and yet upwards of 30 beam trawlers, all of which are from the south-east, have been recorded fishing in the south-west? Has it anything to do with the fact that the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Byrne, is from the south-east? Will he accept that there is an urgent need to deal with this problem to ensure that what amounts to wholesale illegal fishing approved and sanctioned, if not officially, unofficially by the Minister of State from the south-west is not taking place?

Since I came into the Department I asked for this business to be examined and that the Department expedite a report to me which gives a clear indication of what is taking place. As I stated in the reply, there is a need for the trawler operators to get together, form an understanding and solve many of the perceived problems. I asked my Department to come up with the details of that analysis as quickly as possible in order that we can take decisions. I will be happy to discuss this matter with the Deputy at that stage.

Does the Minister accept that his answer is totally unacceptable to the fishermen of the south-west? Earlier this year I was told that this analysis would be completed by mid-June. Where is the analysis? Does he accept that the analysis is simple? There are six boats with licences to fish by means of beam trawls. We must accept that. How can he accept upwards of 30 boats from the south-east rampaging in the south-west and causing damage to the fishing grounds because they are beam trawling? On what basis are they allowed to do so other than that they come from the Minister of State's constituency? Will the Minister agree that ducks and drakes are being played with the law in this regard and it is entirely unfair to the fishermen of the south-west that their fishing grounds are invaded and damaged by people acting illegally with beam trawls without any sanction other than what appears to be unofficial sanction from the Minister or the Minister of State?

As I indicated in my response to previous questions from the Deputy, the fishing activities in which a fishing boat may engage are determined in accordance with the terms of licences issued under section 222(1)(b) of the 1959 Act. Certain vessels in the polyvalent segment of the fleet are not precluded by the terms of their sea fishing licences from fishing by means of beam trawls or they are permitted to engage in beam trawling for a portion of their fishing time. These vessels were considered more appropriate for inclusion in the polyvalent segment given the nature and pattern of their fishing activities.

Is the Minister suggesting that, because certain boats in the polyvalent segment are not precluded from doing so in their licence, they are entitled to fish at will by way of beam trawls? Is that what the Minister is putting on the record of the House?

That is correct.

That is outrageous and I do not accept it for one minute.

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