Vol. 542 No. 1
61 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of fish stocks by species for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23591/01]
The Marine Institute and the international scientific bodies are finalising the annual assessments of the current status of EU fish stocks. On the basis of last year's advice and the preliminary advice on some stocks for 2002 there is a serious concern that many stocks appear to be outside biological limits. There is particular concern about key whitefish stocks such as cod and hake and some of the herring stocks which also appear to be in decline.
The European Commission, with the support of Ireland, has put in place emergency stock recovery plans for Irish sea cod, Northern hake and cod on the north-west coast. It is too early to evaluate the results of these new initiatives and discussions will be commencing shortly in Brussels on the appropriate follow up to these emergency measures.
The strategies for stock recovery and sustainable fishing are being debated in the context of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy. That debate will intensify over the coming year and I will continue to press for effective new technical conservation measures designed to deliver stock recovery and sustainable fishing opportunities for the future.
