Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004
99 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take along with his EU colleagues to protect fish stocks and the incomes of those involved in the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10402/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra101 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, unilaterally or under the aegis of the EU, he has devised means to protect the income of fishing families in view of the need to restrict fishing for certain species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10404/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 101 together.
Against a backdrop of declining whitefish stocks in particular and consequent restrictions on catch levels, the primary challenge facing fishermen and their families at the present time concerns the need for effective conservation measures to provide for the sustainable exploitation of these stocks into the future.
Ireland has been at the forefront at EU level in pushing for enhanced technical conservation measures to protect fish stocks. This issue was addressed in detail at a ministerial and stakeholders' conference on fast tracking the development of environmentally friendly fishing methods which I hosted in early March. The overriding consensus at this conference was that better and smarter fishing and the development of environmentally friendly fishing methods has a critical role to play in the fishing industry going forward. I intend, as President of the Council of Fisheries Ministers, to make significant progress on this issue during Ireland's Presidency of the EU.
This emphasis in ensuring sustainability of fish stocks will help to safeguard the future income of Irish fishermen. I would also highlight the fishing assist scheme which was introduced for the purpose of protecting the livelihoods of fishermen during periods when they are unable to fish and have very low incomes. This scheme represents an important element of support for fishermen and their families.
100 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the species of fish deemed to be most threatened due to over-fishing; the steps taken or likely to be taken to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10403/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Marine Institute carries out Irish stock monitoring programmes which feed into the work of other scientific bodies to determine the current status of EU fish stocks. Recent scientific advice indicated that many stocks appeared to be outside safe biological limits. In so far as the areas and species most affected are concerned, there is particular concern about a number of key whitefish stocks of importance to Irish fishermen, in particular cod in the Irish Sea, cod to the west of Scotland and northern hake. Accordingly, stock recovery measures have been introduced for Irish Sea cod, northern hake and cod in the North Sea and west of Scotland.
Ireland has been at the forefront at EU level in pushing for enhanced technical conservation measures to protect fish stocks. This issue was addressed in detail at a ministerial and stakeholders' conference on fast tracking the development of environmentally friendly fishing methods which I hosted in early March. The overriding consensus at this conference was that better and smarter fishing and the development of environmentally friendly fishing methods have a critical role to play in the conservation of fish stocks going forward. As President of the Council of Fisheries Ministers, I intend to make significant progress on this issue during Ireland's Presidency of the EU.
