Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 9

Written Answers. - Sizes of Fishing Nets.

Madeleine Taylor-Quinn

Ceist:

25 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine the response he has made to the EC Commission in relation to mesh size of fishing nets; and if he will outline the prior consultations which were undertaken with the Irish fishing industry.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

The present proposals for changes in the minimum mesh sizes of fishing nets were discussed for the first time at EC level in the middle of September 1990. Since then, the proposals have been discussed on a number of occasions and at several levels in the EC context, in particular at the November 1990 Council of Fisheries Ministers. The fishing industry have been consulted in regard to the proposals at all stages of the negotiations and the views expressed have been taken into account in formulating Ireland's response to the proposals.

Ireland's view in the matter has been that the Council bears an important responsibility in the matter of conservation, and that early adoption of effective conservation measures is essential to the preservation of the stocks, particularly the stocks in the North Sea. This is not an academic matter; it is a practical matter of maintaining a sustainable livelihood for thousands of fishermen. The Deputy will appreciate that it is vitally important in the long term interests of fishermen to ensure that fisheries are not damaged or disrupted by overexploitation.

In the negotiations, I have, however, cautioned the Commission against extending to areas outside of the North Sea the solution to a problem which is essentially a North Sea problem. In addition, I have indicated that I would be very concerned that no decisions be taken in this matter without sufficient scientific evidence having being obtained to corroborate the decisions.