Trevor Sargent
Ceist:126 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will rule against trawlers designed to pull one net pulling two nets of double capacity. [29197/01]
Written Answers. - Fishing Vessel Regulations.
The Deputy's question appears to refer to the practice of twin rigging, whereby a trawler simultaneously tows two trawl nets. This practice occurs mainly in the prawn fisheries and is legally permitted under the Common Fisheries Policy. Given that the Irish fleet fishes beside other European fleets in the prawn fisheries it would put our fleet at a significant competitive disadvantage to introduce national legislation to prohibit twin rigging for Irish vessels alone. The Irish fishing industry has not called for the prohibition of twin rigging under the Common Fisheries Policy.