Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy McHugh for allowing me a minute of his very limited time. I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment and hope to see him in Donegal, particularly Killybegs, before long.

Spurdog or dogfish, now known as rock salmon, was primarily a catch for the inshore fleet, the small 20 ft. or 30 ft. half-decker vessels. It was not meant for the deep-sea pelagic fleet at all and was often the bread and butter for the inshore fleet.

At present, there is nothing happening in the north west. The inshore fleet is tied up because the box referred to by Deputy McHugh, area VI, is completely closed. There is no point in allowing a quota for spurdog unless one opens area VI to the inshore fleet. I refer to the small fishermen fishing out of Arranmore island and my village of Bunbeg. There is only one boat now although there used to be 30 or 40. It will open the Minister of State's eyes when he visits.

Spurdog fishing was the bread and butter of the fishermen to whom I refer. Spurdog was only a bycatch for the deep-sea fleet when we had a quota. We have none at present. The essential difference between the deep-sea and small inshore fleets is that spurdog represents the bread and butter of the latter. If the Minister of State changes his mind on this matter, he should allow for fishing in area VI by fishermen in small craft of 30 ft. or 40 ft. in length.

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