Seanad debates
Thursday, 21 November 2002
Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.
I do not decry the inspection role of the Naval Service. However if 91% of its activity is confined to Area 7 of the south coast and Haulbowline is on that coast, could it not extend its remit further out in order to board many more vessels and ensure illegal fishing is not happening? There are six fisheries inspectors based in Castletownbere. Although I stand to be corrected on this, in Spain there are ten fisheries inspectors based in Madrid. Fishing is vital to the Spanish coastline and everybody is involved. I am sure a blind eye is often turned to what is happening. Undersized fish are landed at fishing ports on a regular basis along with ordinary sized fish. Some undersize fish are regarded as a delicacy in Spain. Why are there not more inspectors to give a level playing pitch? If we are extra vigilant in this country with small resources, why is the same not true in Spain where fishing is an important component of its economy, which it guards and protects?
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