Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004
275 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the large fishing vessels working from north Mayo shores have all relevant and valid documentation and licences to do so. [7543/04]
View answer276 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the protection in place for small fishermen in north Mayo who are having their crab pots in place near the shore damaged by the large fishing vessels in the area. [7544/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.
My Department is aware of recent complaints regarding the activities of certain fishing vessels operating off the north Mayo area. The Department is currently carrying out an investigation of these complaints in co-operation with the Irish Naval Service. As part of this investigation my Department has checked to ascertain which fishing vessels have a recent history of fishing off the north Mayo coast. The licensing authority of my Department has now confirmed that the fishing vessels involved all hold current sea-fishing boat licences and the Department is checking whether the conditions of those licences appear to have been breached.
There is an agreed code of practice, under the aegis of Bord Iascaigh Mhara and with the co-operation of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, to regulate the shared use of the fishery off the north Mayo coast for both static and towed fishing gear. This code of practice specifically includes a mechanism for dealing with damage to static gear, particularly lobster pots, caused by larger fishing vessels. The code has operated successfully for some years, and great credit must go to the fishermen and their organisations, which continue to co-operate in this matter. It would be a matter of concern if it is shown that the code of conduct is no longer being adhered to.
In addition, I have instructed the appropriate officials in my Department to re-examine the enforcement of existing regulatory requirements in respect of all vessels operating in this area.
