Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 6

Written Answers. - Fishing Industry Losses.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

34 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any estimate available of the losses to the Irish fishing industry from the recent continued period of stormy weather when the fishing fleet was confined to port for long periods of time; if it is intended to take any steps to assist trawler owners to make up these losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

I am aware of the general impact of the recent severe weather conditions on restricting the normal operation of the fishing fleet and that many vessels have been confined to port for long periods. Preliminary indications of landings for January show a drop of over 25 per cent in the pelagic catch. Landings from demersal fisheries have probably been hit even more severely given the smaller size of the vessels involved.

Hopefully, weather conditions will soon improve to allow normal fishing of quota species to continue, albeit at a somewhat later period of the year. My Department will be working closely with the industry in the day-to-day management of the fisheries to ensure that every effort is made to make up quickly lost ground in the major fisheries.