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Fisheries Protection.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004

Thursday, 1 April 2004

Ceisteanna (62)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

62 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the reported recent use of nets in the Brandon Bay and in other Kerry estuaries, supposedly for the purpose of catching sea bass; if such fishing is permitted; the actions the fisheries board use to monitor such activity and enforce the relevant regulations; and the actions which have been taken by the South Western Fisheries board in relation to the breaches of both the sea bass and wild salmon fishing regulations in each of the past three years. [10299/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Irish sea bass fishery is one of the most rigidly regulated fisheries within our jurisdiction with extensive by-laws and regulations governing: size limit on the fish caught, 40 cm; bag limit — two fish in any 24 hour period; prohibition on the commercial fishing of bass; prohibition on the sale of bass in Ireland unless from an imported source; and prohibition on fishing during bass spawning season.

Officers of the sea food control division of my Department, the Naval Service and the relevant regional fisheries boards constantly monitor fishing operations and landings at sea and in our sea fishing ports and have reported no evidence of targeted sea bass fisheries or landings from trawling or netting operations in any area of the country.

In the Brandon Bay and other Kerry estuaries, I am advised that the South Western Regional Fisheries Board visits these areas regularly to ensure that prohibited fishing methods are not used. These visits occur under the board's programme for protection of salmon. It also has a programme for the protection of bass which takes place in the late autumn period. During this period, the board's staff undertake up to 12 visits of the relevant bass areas. Over the past five years the board has seized many nets in the area. There have also been approximately five prosecutions relating to bass in the same period. I understand that further surveillance was carried out in recent weeks where one person was apprehended with a prosecution pending. Bass fishing has recovered significantly since the introduction of the by-laws on bass fishing and the quality of bass fishing in this area is equivalent to the best available at present.

My Department is fully aware of the commercial value of recreational sea angling, particularly to our coastal communities, and I assure the Deputy that through the constant vigilance of our enforcement staff any opportunist exploitation of this valuable natural resource is kept to an absolute minimum.

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