Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Feb 1996

Vol. 460 No. 8

Written Answers. - Illegal Fishing Vessels.

Robert Molloy

Ceist:

29 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine the number of Spanish fishing vessels which have notified his Department that they have been fishing in the Irish Box since 1 January 1996; the activities of the Naval Fishery Protection Service in Irish fishery waters since 1 January 1996; the number of boardings of foreign vessels made since 1 January 1996; whether it was necessary to take any action against illegal fishing in the Irish Box since 1 January 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2136/96]

John Browne

Ceist:

32 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Marine the total number of Spanish fishing boats operating to date in the Irish Box; and if any of them have been found to be operating illegally. [2148/96]

Helen Keogh

Ceist:

37 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for the Marine the number of fishing vessels arrested since 1 January 1996; and the nature of the charges and penalties imposed. [2139/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 32 and 37 together.

During the month of January, 28 Spanish fishing vessels notified the Fishery Protection Services under entry-exit Rules that they were entering the Irish Box for the purpose of carrying out fishing activities. No Spanish registered vessels were found to be operating illegally in the Irish Box during January.

The Naval Service, the Air Corps and the Department of the Marine are working intensively together to ensure that all our fishery surveillance resources are deployed to maximum effect and that all vessels fishing in Irish waters comply with the requirements of the new regime which is now in place in relation to access to our waters. The Naval Service and the Air Corps have carried out intensive surveillance activity with particular emphasis on the Irish Box during January. We will continue to maintain this level of activity, backed up by the Department's Sea Fisheries Control Inspectors.

Thirty-two foreign vessels were boarded at sea during January and 21 of the boardings took place in the Irish Box. Up to yesterday six vessels had been detained, one of which was detained in the Irish Box. The vessel detained in the Box was UK registered (and Spanish owned). Of the five detentions outside the Box, two were Spanish registered vessels, two were UK registered vessels and one French registered vessel. Four of the detained vessels have been charged, charges are proposed in a fifth case and the remaining vessel was released with a written warning.

None of the alleged offences detected during January related to failure to observe the entry-exit reporting requirements. The one alleged offence detected inside the Irish Box related to having illegal net attachments and under recording of monkfish.

In the general matter of prosecutions Deputies will appreciate that in the normal course of events, a number of months elapse between the detention of a fishing vessel and the resultant court proceedings. I am advised that court proceedings in relation to the four boats detained so far this year are scheduled to take place around the middle of March. The imposition of penalties is of course a matter for the court having considered the evidence presented by both sides and guided by the maximum penalties prescribed under the fisheries Acts.

Pending the hearing of those cases Deputies will also appreciate the need for circumspection in any statement to guard against prejudicing the proceedings.

As I said, our air, sea and landbased fishery protection services are fully committed to monitoring and enforcement of fishing regulations and potentially illegal activity is being closely targeted on land and at sea. I intend to build on the track record to date to ensure that existing resources are applied effectively to the considerable task of conservation and protection and to the enhancement of that capability as necessary, with maximum EU financial support.