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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1975

Vol. 286 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fish Stocks Preservation.

145.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the undertaking given in a previous reply (details supplied) his Department have introduced or intend to introduce new or updated means of preserving fish stocks by regulations dealing with mesh grades, size limits on fish sold, the national quotas for certain species and controls of fishing equipment.

146.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of a previous reply (details supplied) he is satisfied that certain fish stocks in Irish waters are not endangered; and if not, his plans to protect these stocks for the benefit of Irish fishermen.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

The position in the matters raised in the Deputy's questions is as indicated in my replies to similar questions put down by him on 2nd May, 1974.

147.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is satisfied that existing legislation is adequate to prevent overfishing and to deal with all aspects of marine pollution; and if he will consider updating existing legislation and extending Irish fishing waters unilaterally.

I am satisfied that existing legislation is adequate to prevent overfishing and to deal with all aspects of marine pollution. The relevant legislation is kept under constant review in my Department. I am not in favour of extending the exclusive fishery limits of the State unilaterally.

148.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, he is aware of a report from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea which indicates that, at present, far more catastrophic damage can be done to fish stocks by overfishing than by pollution at its current level and that the report clearly documents the collapse of many of the herring fisheries of the north eastern Atlantic due largely to overexploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is not clear from the question what particular report of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea the Deputy has in mind. Several reports have been published by the council which refer to the dangers to fish stocks by overfishing. It is generally accepted that overexploitation at present constitutes the main danger to fish stocks in the north-east Atlantic area. Various measures for the protection of these stocks have been taken by the responsible organisation, the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission of which this country is a member state.

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