Vol. 500 No. 3
43 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will enforce the by-law which prevents trawling in Inver Bay from Doorin Point to Ballyederland, Bruckless; the steps, if any, his Department will undertake to ensure that trawling does not take place in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3230/99]
I have instructed my Department to investigate the position in relation to trawling in Inver Bay, and I will consider the need for action in respect of fishing activity in that area in the light of the outcome of this investigation.
Co-operation between fishermen at local level is an essential complement to formal legal provisions in averting possible difficulties with the use of different types of fishing gear on fishing grounds. My Department and Bord lascaigh Mhara, is engaged in consultations with inshore fishermen and trawlermen with a view to developing a new code of practice designed to minimise the risk to local fishing gear from trawling activities.
