Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority's ability to properly monitor large fishing vessels, commonly known as super-trawlers, is a bone of contention with many in the small fishing industry in coastal areas. The authority's personnel are not able to board those vessels. It is a serious issue as the smaller vessels seem to get all the attention while the bigger ships, which can do multiples of the level of damage to our seafood stocks, are almost ignored. It is difficult as I am not sure if we have the ability to board, search and properly monitor those ships. Is there anything we can do to try to make a better effort, at least?