EU Council Regulation 1239/98 will prohibit drift netting for tuna with effect from 1 January 2002. In the meantime, as a result of a four year stay on the ban secured by Ireland at the June 1998 Fisheries Council, member states may authorise limited numbers of vessels to drift-net for tuna using drift-nets not exceeding 2.5 kilometres in length per vessel.
Control of the Irish vessels authorised to take part in the drift-net tuna fishery is exercised through monitoring and surveillance undertaken on land by my Department's sea fisheries inspectorate and at sea by the Naval Service and Air Corps. Any fishing activity by tuna vessels of other member states in Irish waters is equally subject to surveillance by the Irish fishery protection services. The control programme for 2000 was determined in consultations between these services. The European Commission fisheries inspection services undertook several routine visits during the season as they have done in previous years. A review of the operation and control of the tuna fishery this year is under way and will inform planning for the 2001 season.
The Irish authorities have not received complaints in relation to the operation of this year's tuna fishery from other member states.
