Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
472. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times CASA aircraft were deployed to monitor the fishing activities of supertrawlers; the names of the vessels the aircraft were deployed to monitor in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42650/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
