Vol. 530 No. 2
60 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding fish stock with particular reference to the impact of over-fishing on certain species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3482/01]
I am concerned that key commercial fish stocks are heavily exploited and under serious threat. At the recent Council of EU Fisheries Ministers I underlined the urgent need for radical conservation measures to rebuild and protect whitefish stocks.
With the full support of the Irish fishing industry, I sucessfully argued for comprehensive action to protect juvenile and spawning fish stocks through recovery programmes. Against a background of stark scientific advice, all member states must shoulder their responsibilities and collectively agree these conservation plans. Having taken the lead with the Irish sea cod recovery programme, Ireland will remain at the forefront of these initiatives, including ongoing negotiations on recovery plans in critical whitefish stocks.
I have also consistently pressed the case for enhanced EU wide fisheries control, enforced in a strict and even-handed manner. The viability of the resource and the interests of the Irish fishing fleet depend on compliance by all member states with the rules.
As the Deputy may be aware the Marine Institute prepares, on an annual basis, the most comprehensive scientific assessment of the state of fish stocks caught in the waters around Ireland and of fish stocks of interest to the Irish fishing industry. I will arrange for the latest copy of this assessment to be forwarded to the Deputy.
Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 40.
