Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures he intends to introduce to stop the overfishing of fishing quotas and the landing of illegal so-called black fish. [14544/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, contains provisions for member states to take the inspection and enforcement measures necessary to ensure compliance with its rules, including those relating to fishing within the quotas allocated to them. Following the review of the CFP in December 2002, a new framework regulation was adopted which provides for a strengthened control and enforcement system to ensure effective implementation of the CFP, including the extension of the use of vessel monitoring systems, VMSs, and strengthened powers for enforcement officers.

The new Common Fisheries Policy also contains a heightened emphasis on the need to conserve fish stocks and includes, in particular, provisions for the recovery of fish stocks such as cod, which are considered to be outside safe biological limits. The regulations governing recovery plans provide for a strengthened control regime to ensure the effective implementation of such measures. Long-term stock recovery plans have been introduced for a number of stocks of importance to Ireland. These are Irish sea cod, northern hake and cod in the west of Scotland.

In so far as adherence to the various EU regulations is concerned, the CFP contains provisions for member states to take the inspection and enforcement measures necessary to ensure compliance with its rules. It also provides for member states to follow up on infringements and to impose sanctions where appropriate. The challenge of achieving effective control and enforcement of fisheries rules is ongoing and requires close collaboration and co-operation between member states. The establishment of a new control agency, which was agreed at the March Fisheries Council, will deliver increased co-ordination in control activity across the member states. This will address the perceived lack of a level playing field across the Community and associated mistrust and suspicion between the fishing industries of different member states.

Effective enforcement of conservation rules is a priority for all member states and each has a clear responsibility to monitor and control fishing activity within its jurisdiction. At national level, the fishery protection resources, including the services of the Naval Service and the Air Corps monitor fish catches both at sea and in the ports. The resources are deployed in order to deliver the maximum level of protection for fisheries around our coast.

The Department has recognised the need to augment its seafood control resources so as to strengthen the national control effort and is seeking to finalise arrangements with the Department of Finance on a case put for the necessary additional resources.