Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for his question. As he will be aware, under the Common Fisheries Policy, EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas.

Irrespective of size, fishing vessels must comply with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, which includes rules regarding access and catch limits or quota. With regard to access to Ireland's coastal waters by foreign vessels, I will point out that on the north-west coast, all foreign fishing vessels are excluded from Ireland's 12-mile fishing zone, other than for transit or shelter purposes. All foreign pelagic fishing vessels are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12-mile fishing zone on the west coast. Irish fishing vessels greater than or equal to 36.58 m in length are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12-mile zone.

Changes to fisheries policy involving access or restriction to fishing opportunities or fishing areas come within the sole competence of the European Union. Member states are permitted to introduce non-discriminatory measures within the 12-mile zone, subject to compliance with policy and procedures set down in the Common Fisheries Policy.

As an EU common policy, a proposal must, in the first instance, be made by the European Commission. Any proposal of this nature would be expected to have broad application in the context of EU waters and to apply to all fishing vessels of a particular size or using identified non-sustainable fishing gear. It appears that the Deputy's query relates to large fishing vessels targeting pelagic stocks such as mackerel, horse mackerel and herring. As he will be aware, the Irish fleet includes such fishing vessels. In respect of Ireland's position on any such proposal from the European Commission, it would be essential to have regard for the potential impacts on our fleet. Ireland's control authorities, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, and the Naval Service, are responsible for the monitoring and control of fishing vessels, including large fishing vessels targeting pelagic stocks, in our exclusive economic zone to ensure compliance with the rules of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

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