Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations: Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority

3:25 pm

Dr. Susan Steele:

Yes. I will start by addressing the question on the communications process. In any type of change like this, a clear communications process is vital. When our internal procedures are clarified and finalised we will use different methods of communicating with the industry. It will be done through publication of those and through a good deal of information that will be given by the officers on the ground directly to the fishing industry. That will occur and then there will be a series of articles and information sessions that will tie in with that. It will go through a communication process, once it is finalised. It is very important to us.

I note Deputy Ferris has left and I was going to answer his question about what are the other tools in the toolbox. Sanctions are at the very far end of enforcement. We would work out ways through education, communication and working with the fishing industry. Nobody wants to be in a position where we would have to impose sanctions and enforcement actions but, unfortunately, in some cases it is a vital method. I was going to list those in terms of the toolbox but I would point out that communication about this measure will be one of the tools in the toolbox.

Mr. O'Mahony might respond to the question on the electronic reporting system, ERS, and logbooks.

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