Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
799. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority in ensuring compliance with regulations concerning the minimum mesh size of nets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31465/20]
View answer808. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the systems in place to monitor landings of sprat to assess if the catch is clean in line with landing declarations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31729/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 799 and 808 together.
I should advise the Deputy that the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
