Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:142 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Marine his conservation policy to ensure the survival of several species of fish off the Kerry coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Conservation of Fish Stocks.
The protection of all fish stocks in Irish waters is a top priority for the State's Fishery Control Services both on land and at sea. The sea fisheries officers of the Department of the Marine, the Naval Service and the Air Corps are continuously upgrading their monitoring and control programmes to ensure greater protection for the valuable fish resources in our waters.
General responsibility for control of fish stocks lies with the European Commission. Regulation (EC) 3094/86 lays down technical measures designed to protect and conserve fish stocks throughout Community waters. This regulation is regularly amended in light of member states concerns and scientific evidence of threatened species or areas. That regulation also allows for the introduction of special measures in relation to local stocks particularly under threat.
As the fishing industry is a major source of employment in Irish coastal regions, it is imperative that fish stocks in all Irish waters, including those off the County Kerry coast, are preserved. I can assure the Deputy that if specific problems are encountered in particular areas additional conservation measures will be adopted to deal with those problems.