Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Common Fisheries Policy was comprehensively reviewed in 2002. One of its key outcomes was a greater emphasis on fisheries control. The reformed Common Fisheries Policy contains a specific chapter dealing with control and sets a variety of requirements that all member states must implement to ensure that fisheries resources are adequately protected.

While I understand the potential benefits underpinning Deputy Eamon Ryan's suggestion, there would be considerable difficulties with its implementation. It would require all member states to have domestic quota management systems that allocate a quota to each vessel for every fish stock. This level of allocation is not the practice in every member state and such harmonisation is unlikely in the foreseeable future for complex reasons, including quota ownership. Therefore, quota management systems are likely to remain a matter of policy choice for each member state.

However, a number of systems are in place that facilitate control of fishing vessels of other member states. For example, each member state must report to the Commission the level of uptake of their national total allowable catch for each fish species. If the total allowable catch of any species is exhausted, the control services of every member state are immediately alerted by the Commission that a fishing stop is in place for that species.

Ireland also receives notification directly from individual member states of lists of fishing vessels that have access entitlement under the Community legislation on western waters. Ireland's control services also routinely receive information listing the entitlements of listed fishing vessels to participate in specific fisheries. It also advises the flag member state of the logged catches of vessels boarded. It is, accordingly, a matter for the flag member state to take action, including possible prosecution, against any vessel that exceeds internal catch limits established by its administration. This co-operation can be strengthened and the impending establishment of the Community fisheries control agency in Vigo will deliver closer co-operation, thereby making a valuable contribution in the fight against illegal fishing activities.

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