Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Fisheries Protection.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

133 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position as understood by the Government, regarding access by Spanish fishing vessels to the Irish Box; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1804/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Government's legal advice from the Attorney General, supported by legal advice from the Portuguese Government, holds that the EU regulations governing access to Western Waters (Regulations 685/95 and 2027/95) remain in force. This opinion is on the basis that these regulations provide for the full integration of Spain and Portugal into the Common Fisheries Policy. This is expressly stated and the regulations do not contain any time limit. Accordingly, as provided for in regulations 685/95 and 2027/95, the number of Spanish fishing vessels within the Irish Box is limited to 40 at any one time.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

134 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which it is intended to apply the restrictions agreed at the December Fisheries Council meeting whereby fishing in the north-west will be allowed on only nine days each month; if his attention has been drawn to the implications of this restriction for fishing communities and to concerns that it may lead to trawlers being forced to put to sea in dangerous weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1808/03]

Martin Ferris

Question:

166 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will re-negotiate the recent decision of the EU Fisheries Council to restrict whitefish boats fishing in the ICES Area VI, north of Donegal to west Scotland, to nine days per month; and if his attention has been drawn to the devastating effect which the decision will have on the fishing industry in Donegal. [1900/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 166 together.

The fishing effort limitation scheme approved at the December Fisheries Council comes into effect from 1 February 2003 and may run until the end of this year. The Commission has indicated that it is a temporary measure and that a further, more detailed proposal, will be presented next month for subsequent consideration by Council.

I consider that the scheme is an extremely blunt instrument and I do not believe that it will prove to be effective in fisheries management. A number of like-minded colleagues and I emphasised this view at the December Council and the potential risk of fishermen putting to sea in dangerous weather conditions was also stressed. In the event, the scheme was approved and it now falls to be implemented. The question of its re-negotiation does not, therefore, arise.

I am aware that this new scheme gives rise to difficulties for particular fishermen using certain gear types. The nine day limit applies only to one gear type and it is possible to fish for a greater number of days each month if certain other gear types are used or without any limit if fishing exclusively outside the area. It is also possible to fish within the area without any limit if using only fishing gears not covered by the regulation. On the basis of an examination of recent log-sheet data, the best estimate is that a total of 24 Donegal based vessels fished in the area concerned with the fishing gear subject to the nine day limit. Ten of these vessels also fished with other fishing gears subject to a 25 day limit. The impact of the regulation will, therefore, be dependent on the type of gear which vessels elect to use and the area which they choose to fish in. I have discussed this situation with representatives of the Irish fishing industry on a number of occasions since the Council and my Department is working closely with the industry to clarify issues about the scheme and the details associated with its implementation.