Vol. 496 No. 1
110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has satisfied himself that ancillary facilities to the fishing industry, including port and harbour development, fish processing, conservation and stock development are sufficient to ensure that the industry can be safeguarded and its future, in terms of production and employment, guaranteed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22127/98]
The Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-1999 is supporting substantial investment in infrastructure and facilities, such as ports, ice plants and processing factories, which provide an essential underpinning for the fishing industry. I am conscious of the need for continued investment to support the long-term development and competitiveness of the industry, and am addressing the question of funding for such investment in the context of the preparations for the next round of Structural Funds.
A range of stock conservation and management measures, including quotas and fishing effort limitations, is in place to ensure the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fish resources.
These measures are kept under review on an ongoing basis so that the appropriate balance between fishing activity and the available resources can be secured and the industry's future can be safeguarded.
