Vol. 554 No. 5
103 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the terms and conditions under which a super trawler (details supplied) is permitted to fish in Irish waters; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by a number of fishermen regarding the implications of this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17055/02]
I am aware that concerns have been expressed regarding the operation of the Atlantic Dawn in EU waters generally. Under the terms of its licence the Atlantic Dawn must predominantly operate outside EU waters.
The vessel is allowed strictly limited access to EU waters as a result of arrangements reached with the European Commission and the Atlantic Dawn company. The company permanently withdrew its other vessel, the Veronica, from the Irish and EU fleet registers, which enabled Ireland to resolve a long standing engine power over capacity situation in the pelagic segment and comply with mandatory EU fleet capacity limits.
The Atlantic Dawn is only allowed to fish in EU waters to the same degree, in terms of catch limits and fishing effort, as the Veronica was allowed. The vessel has been allocated the same catch limits for mackerel and herring as those previously given to the Veronica. It may also target other pelagic species such as horse mackerel and blue whiting, as the Veronica was entitled to do, subject to strict effort limitations. There is no increase in fishing effort within EU waters. The situation is, therefore, status quo as far as the rest of the fishing industry is concerned.
Under the terms of its licence the Atlantic Dawn is prohibited from fishing within 12 nautical miles of Ireland's baselines and from fishing in the Irish Sea. The vessel's compliance with the terms of its licence with respect to EU waters and elsewhere is closely monitored. The entry of the Atlantic Dawn into the Irish fleet was facilitated by a decision of the European Commission to grant additional capacity and fishing effort to take account of fishing opportunities in Mauritanian and west African waters. The Atlantic Dawn company will continue primarily to focus its attention on developing sustainable fishing opportunities outside the EU and positioning itself as a successful player in the international seafood market.
