Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2011
152 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total catch of all species landed in this jurisdiction in each of the past five years to date in 2011; the extent to which such catches were processed here and the extent of employment created; the extent to which fish caught in Irish waters were landed and processed in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28101/11]
View answerThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority has statutory responsibility for collection of data on landings by Irish vessels and is independent in the performance of its functions. I have no role in the matter. However, I have referred the Deputy's question to the SFPA for direct response on this matter.
Data on landings by non-Irish vessels are a matter for the Member State of registration of the vessel, regardless of where the fish were caught. Data is not compiled on the extent to which fish landed into Ireland are processed here. Some landings are exported directly without processing. However, overall Irish traded seafood for 2010 was worth €711 million, with Irish production accounting for €537 million of that total. The balance of €174 million would be accounted for by imports. Data is being currently compiled on employment in the seafood processing sector by BIM and I have asked them to forward the data to you directly.
153 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which fish caught within 100 km of our shores are landed and processed here or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28102/11]
View answerThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority has statutory responsibility for collection of data on landings by Irish vessels only and is independent in the performance of its functions. I have no role in the matter. However, I understand that data on landings is not collected by reference to distance from shore. I have referred the Deputy's question to the SFPA for direct response. Data on catches by non-Irish vessels are primarily a matter for the Member State of registration of the vessel, whether landed into Ireland or elsewhere.
