Brian O'Shea
Ceist:248 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to ensure that the Irish 50 mile box is retained for Irish fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26311/02]
Written Answers. - Fisheries Protection.
A regime to limit fishing activity and access to western waters, including the Irish Box, was put in place in 1995 in order to provide for a rational and orderly exploitation of fishing grounds by all vessels, including the Spanish fleet. I am of the view that the provisions which govern conservation in the Irish Box should continue after the end of 2002. It is clear that the Commission has been of the same opinion in so far as it did not envisage an end to the western waters regime in its Green Paper on CFP reform or in the proposals for reform introduced in June 2002.
The legal opinion received from Council Legal Service at the end of October provides that the western waters regime expires as from 31 December 2002. This is contrary to the Commission and Ireland's previous view on this issue and in my view is incomplete and flawed. The advice of Ireland's legal services on the matter has been conveyed to the Commission and the Danish Presidency, and I will continue to contest the Council Legal Service opinion in Council this week.
I have also been involved in an intensive series of meetings at European level to draw attention to the very serious consequences arising for fish stocks and for the Irish fishing industry if unrestricted access to the Irish Box is allowed from the beginning of next year. I met Commissioner Fischler and the Danish Minister for Fisheries, who currently holds the Presidency of the Fisheries Council, three weeks ago, and I have maintained close contact with both in the past week on this issue. I have also met the Portuguese and the UK Ministers with responsibility for fisheries, both of whom share some common ground with Ireland on this issue. I have strongly pressed Ireland's case that the waters within the Irish Box are very sensitive and play an important role as nursery grounds for stocks in western waters and beyond. The need to maintain and enhance going forward the current restrictive regime, which is fully justified on the grounds of conservation and rational exploitation of fish stocks, was strongly emphasised. At Council this week I shall continue to do my utmost to preserve the current regime in the interests of the Irish fishing industry and of conservation of fish stocks.