Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I am aware of concerns being expressed regarding the fishing activities of Spanish owned fishing vessels in the waters off the Irish coast and these concerns have been tabled on a number of occasions in the past. I have had inquiries made into this matter and the control authorities advise that these vessels are regularly checked, both at sea and on landing into Irish ports, as are all fishing vessels operating within the Irish fisheries patrol area. The logged catches from these vessels are reported to the European Commission and details of these catches are returned to the flag member state of the vessel concerned.

The Irish Naval Service monitors the fishing activities of Spanish-owned fishing vessels as part of its normal patrol missions. Checks at sea include the inspection of fishing gear used by vessels, using the methods and criteria prescribed under EU fisheries legislation, for compliance with requirements on minimum mesh sizes. Vessels are also boarded at sea and their catches inspected for compliance with EU fisheries legislation governing the minimum sizes of fish. The proper recording of catches is also checked.

The Department's land-based inspectorate also carries out regular checks of all vessels when they discharge fish into Irish ports. Spanish owned vessels, and all other non-Irish vessels, are required to give prior notification of landing, including information on catches aboard the vessel which it is proposed to land. Inspections carried out by the Department's sea fishery officers check the advance notification information against the catches recorded in the European Union fishing logbook and the actual fish being landed. In addition, checks are made on the fishing gear used by these vessels and on other technical requirements set down in EU fisheries legislation. Where fisheries offences have been detected, the cases are referred to the Attorney General's office and prosecutions are taken under his direction. I have brought some recent allegations about use of illegal mesh size in gill net fisheries to the attention of the Department's land based inspectorate and the Naval Service. This matter will continue to receive due attention in the context of overall fisheries control and enforcement.

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