Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004
102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he and his EU colleagues have identified the countries which are contributing most to over-fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10405/04]
View answerThe Commission has drawn up a "scoreboard" which details instances of infringements by member states in a number of areas, including over-fishing of quotas. I have arranged for a copy of the "scoreboard" to be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
The Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, contains provisions for member states to take the inspection and enforcement measures necessary to ensure compliance with its rules, including those relating to fishing within the quotas allocated to member states. It also provides for member states to follow up on infringements and to impose sanctions where appropriate. While the precise penalties to be taken are a matter for national legal jurisdiction, it is prescribed that these must act as a deterrent in respect of the offence in question.
Effective enforcement of conservation rules is a priority for all member states and each member state has a clear responsibility to monitor and control fishing activity within their respective jurisdictions. This component of the Common Fisheries Policy is receiving increasing attention and emphasis within the EU and I am pleased to say that the level of co-operation between member states is also increasing. The challenge of achieving effective control and enforcement of fisheries' rules is ongoing and requires close collaboration and co-operation between member states.
