Vol. 500 No. 3
16 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether there was a major decrease in volume of white fish landed in 1998 in the south west; if any analysis has been done as to the cause of these reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3734/99]
Definitive statistics for landings in 1998 are being finalised. They indicate that total landings by the south west whitefish fleet of whitefish, nephrops and tuna into the main fishing ports in the region were over 18,000 tonnes valued at £23.9 million.
A comparison of these 1998 landings with recent years shows a progressive increase in the annual value of these landings by the south west whitefish fleet over the period 1995-1998. The volume of total landings is showing the same trend. I am advised that the take-up of key whitefish quota species in the south west, including monkfish, hake and sole, was close to 100 per cent of quota catches. Other quota species such as whiting and plaice were not fully utilised while the landings statistics also underline the important economic contribution which the tuna fishery makes to the south west whitefish fleet where catches in 1998 were worth over £6 million.
