Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:32 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine the names of the ten fishing vessels which have been participating in the satellite monitoring pilot scheme; and the progress, if any, made by this scheme. [11071/96]
Written Answers. - Satellite Monitoring Pilot Scheme.
Michael McDowell
Ceist:45 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Marine the names of the ten fishing vessels which have been participating in the satellite monitoring pilot scheme; and the progress, if any, made by this scheme. [11074/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 45 together.
The following vessels participated in the national pilot project on satellite monitoring which was completed at the end of last year:
MVF Antonia
MVF Atlantic Fisher
MVF Brandaris
MVF Castletown
MVF Girl Geraldine
MVF Jacob
MVF Resplendant
MVF Silver King
MVF Skellig Dawn
MVF Utopia.
During the operational phase the ten Irish vessels were fitted with continuous position monitoring equipment which provided data on the position, speed and course of each vessel as it went about its normal fishing activities.
The pilot project was one of a series undertaken by member states in the context of the new EU fisheries control regime agreed by Council in 1993 and which provided for the carrying out of practical trials in order to evaluate the technical feasibility of satellite technology as a tool for improved fisheries control.
Ireland and other member states are currently compiling detailed reports on the results of the projects to the Commission which will inform the Commission's assessment of the feasibility and cost benefits of satellite technology in fisheries control. In light of this practical experience to date, the Commission is scheduled to bring forward proposals to Council on Union-wide implementation of satellite monitoring during the second half of the year. We will work constructively during the Presidency to progress these proposals. I will, of course, be consulting closely with the fishing industry on all aspects of these proposals as they develop.
Satellite monitoring, along with other applications of modern technology, notably computerised catch data, has the potential to be a very effective tool in the monitoring and control of fishing activities. It would enable fisheries protection services to operate in a much more focused way by pinpointing the location and duration of fishing vessel activity. I also believe that it will, in the longer term, reduce the costs of communication for the fishing industry itself and will have an added safety dividend for fishing vessels.
The effectivness of satellite monitoring will, of course, depend on the willingness and ability of member states to communicate data to each other on a regular basis. There were teething problems in relation to timely data exchange between flag and coastal states during the pilot projects. It is essential that these difficulties are addressed prior to implementation of any permanent system. This underlines once again the imperative need for greater co-operation and co-ordination by all member states in fisheries control matters.