andMr. Treacy asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will explain the significance of the cost of patrolling extended fishing limits referred to in a modified EEC proposal relating to Community Fishing Policy dated 16 January 1978 COM (78), 4. Final.
Written Answers. - EEC Fishing Policy.
346.
This refers to the extension of fishery limits from 12 to 200 miles and the additional cost of patrolling the extended limits.
347.
andMr. Treacy asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will explain the implications of Article 6 of the amended proposal for a Council Regulation EEC (16th January 1978) COM. (78) 5, Final, in which there are references to authorised restricted fishing with coastal limits of 12 miles by reference to the “special arrangements” made for Irish fishing prior to entry to the EEC.
This draft article taken in conjunction with Article 7 would, if adopted, provide for the continuation of the special arrangements on derogation from the access provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy authorised in Articles 100 and 101 of the Treaty of Accession.
348.
andMr. Treacy asked the Minister for Fisheries the manner in which Article 6 of the EEC modified proposal for a Council Regulation (16 January 1978) COM. (78) 8, Final, would apply in practice, having regard to the Irish catch in 1976, 1977 and 1978, by reference to the proposal that the list of authorised landing places to be drawn up by member states, need not include 20 per cent of the average annual landing in each territory in the previous three years.
349.
andMr. Treacy asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will explain the manner in which Article 6 of the EEC modified proposal for a Council Regulation (16th January 1978) COM. (78) 8, Final, would apply in practice, having regard to the Irish catch in 1976, 1977 and 1978, by reference to the proposal that the list of authorised landing places to be drawn up by member states, need not include 20 per cent of the average annual landing in each territory in the previous three years; the actual catch for herring in 1975, 1976 and 1977; and the amount of the catch represented by the 20 per cent figure in each case.
350.
andMr. Treacy asked the Minister for Fisheries the manner in which Article 6 of the EEC modified proposal for a Council Regulation (16th January 1978) COM. (78) 8, Final, would apply in practice, having regard to the Irish catch in 1976, 1977 and 1978, by reference to the proposal that the list of authorised landing places to be drawn up by member states, need not include 20 per cent of the average annual landing in each territory in the previous three years, and having regard to the average catch if he will indicate the need for limiting the Irish catch in 1978.
It is proposed, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 348, 349, and 350 together.
If adopted this draft article would involve my nominating a minimum of about 17 landing places at which species of fish subject to quota could be landed. This would not, however, prevent fishermen from using other landing places which they traditionally used for the landing of such species. All landings would, of course, count against the national quotas.
Herring catches in 1975 and 1976 totalled 28,808 tonnes and 22,012 tonnes respectively. Final figures for 1977 are not yet available.
The quantity of fish represented by 20 per cent of the average catch in 1975 and 1976 (final figures for 1977 are not yet available) of each of the species subject to quota would be as follows:—
|
Species |
Tonnes |
|
Cod |
988 |
|
Haddock |
234 |
|
Saithe |
262 |
|
Whiting |
1,714 |
|
Plaice |
315 |
|
Sole |
42 |
|
Mackerel |
2,774 |
|
Horse |
|
|
Mackerel |
No recorded catch |
|
Hake |
29 |
|
Monk |
Catch not recorded separately |
|
Megrim |
39 |
|
Squid |
No recorded catch |
|
Herring |
5,082 |
The proposed restrictions on catches in 1978 contained in Commission proposal COM. (78) 6, Final arise from the depletion of the stocks of the species in question because of over-fishing.