Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
78. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a report on the role of the Naval Service in fisheries protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28117/23]
View answerThe Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union.
Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in that they have the ability to undertake general surveillance, search and rescue, diving operations, drugs interdiction and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service. At any one time the Naval Service will have ships that are on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance, and down time for ships' companies.
In relation to its sea-fishery protection role, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 established the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) as the competent Authority for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries protection legislation and the sustainable exploitation of marine fish resources from the waters around Ireland within Ireland's EEZ.
A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place which underpins the relationship between the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Defence Organisation. The SLA between the Department of Defence, and the SFPA facilitates a close and effective partnership between the Department and the SFPA so that Ireland meets its obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy to ensure a system of fishery control for the protection and sustainable exploitation of marine organisms.
Officials from my Department and members of the Naval Service and Air Corps regularly meet with officials of the SFPA on a formal and informal basis.
The Naval Service and the Air Corps patrol the Irish 200 nautical mile limit in respect of sea fisheries protection and periodically patrol beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. The Naval Service operates a rotating patrol schedule for all operational ships in an effort to maintain a constant presence in the Irish EEZ.
These patrols are augmented in the Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) located at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, which the Naval Service is responsible for operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The FMC provides for fishery data collection, analysis, and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies such as the SFPA. The FMC carries out monitoring and surveillance of fishing vessels operating within or adjacent to Ireland’s EEZ and also of all Irish vessels operating worldwide.
Notwithstanding the significant challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.
