Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The SFPA carried out 2,500 fishing vessel inspections last year. A total of 80% of the fish caught in Irish waters is landed in other countries. Are the type of ships to which Senator Mac Lochlainn referred all in the category that catch the 80%? It was indicated that 12 to 15 inspections were carried out last year and this year on super trawlers. What proportion of the catch is caught by super trawlers? I understand how difficult it is to get access to them but the number of inspections carried out on them strikes me as quite a small number given their size and capacity to catch fish.

Could the witnesses elaborate a bit more on what would normally happen to the vessels at the landing port and in terms of the flag state of the vessel? Are inspections carried out on them and how much co-operation and communication is there between the SFPA, the port state where the catch lands and the flag state?

I accept we are short on time but could the witnesses provide a short explanation of what the coastal state unit will involve and how that will work?