Vol. 524 No. 3
58 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position with regard to trawlers fishing in Inver Bay, County Donegal; the standing of an existing by-law preventing such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22431/00]
I am advised that trawling in inner Inver Bay is prohibited under a bye-law dating from 1857.
My Department is liaising with the Naval Service and Air Corps from the fisheries enforcement perspective, in light of confirmed reports of trawling activity in the area. The need for full compliance with the bye-law has also been underlined to the representative fishing organisations not least because of the safety dimension given the presence of salmon farms in the bay. The situation is being closely monitored. The need for updating and strengthening the bye-law provisions is also being examined. I will keep the Deputy advised of developments.
