Vol. 513 No. 2
55 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of fishing trawlers boarded by the Naval Service since 1 January 2000; the number of vessels which may be prosecuted; the nationality of these vessels; the offences involved; and the level of fines and other penalties involved. [2170/00]
Naval Service reports to my Department show that 63 fishing vessels have been boarded by the Naval Service since 1 January 2000, and eight vessels have been detained. Three of the detained vessels were Irishregistered, three were registered in the United Kingdom, one was registered in France and one in Germany.
The detentions arose from suspected fisheries offences which included logbook offences, failure to transmit effort reports, failure to carry on board a valid sea fishing licence and over-fishing of quota species.
One vessel was released without charge and one vessel received a formal warning. A fine of £150 has been imposed on one vessel. Legal proceedings are in train in the other cases.
56 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of fishing trawlers boarded during 1999; and the fines and other penalties imposed on these vessels. [2171/00]
Naval Service reports to my Department show that 1,306 fishing vessels were boarded by the Naval Service during 1999, of which 31 vessels were detained.
Fines and forfeitures ranging from £75 to £137,365 were imposed in 22 cases. Formal warnings were issued in respect of three vessels. One vessel was released without charge. Legal proceedings are in train in five cases.
