Vol. 574 No. 1
158 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent claim by the Royal Society in the UK that there was a real danger of a complete collapse of fish stocks, especially in the North Sea and the north Atlantic; the steps being taken at national and EU level to conserve fish stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26263/03]
While I do not have particular knowledge of the specific claim referred to by the Deputy, it is not in dis pute that the biological status of a number of key whitefish stocks, particularly cod in the North Sea and elsewhere in the north-east Atlantic, is a cause for concern.
The latest scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, the body of scientists charged with the responsibility of assessing the status of fish stocks in the northeast Atlantic, confirms the need to implement recovery measures for a number of endangered fish stocks, especially cod. It should, however, be borne in mind that not all fish stocks are in an equally endangered state and that North Sea herring, for instance, in now considered to be in a healthy state even though it was endangered a number of years ago. Any suggestion, therefore, of a complete collapse in all fish stocks is overstating the case although that does not of course diminish the need to implement appropriate measures in response to cases where there is a clear cause for concern.
The new Common Fisheries Policy, agreed last December, provides the basic legislative framework under which the European Union implements detailed conditions and controls applicable to fisheries throughout the Union. The new CFP contains a heightened emphasis on the need to conserve fish stocks and includes in particular provisions for the recovery of fish stocks such as cod which are considered to be endangered.
In the period immediately ahead and in the light of the recent scientific advice from ICES, I anticipate that the Council of Fisheries Ministers will assess and evaluate the present situation in detail and decide on the most appropriate course to follow. There is a need to strengthen existing conservation measures in order to address the concerns that have been identified and I will be articulating this view to council colleagues.
