Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 587: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to ensure that v-notch and under-sized lobsters are not illegally taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1433/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The enforcement of the European and national regulations prohibiting the taking of undersized and v-notched lobsters forms part of the inshore fisheries conservation work routinely carried out by the Department's sea fisheries protection officers.

Inspections and checks are made at the landing places used by lobster fishermen, of lorries that collect catches of lobsters for export and at the storage facilities of those exporters engaged in the lobster trade. The conservation work is generally well supported by the fishermen concerned as the v-notching of lobsters and the routine enforcement of minimum landing sizes for lobsters is seen to have a positive impact on the recovery of the stock.

The regulation of lobster fisheries has also been well supported by a poster and information campaign conducted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, in which fishermen are advised as to the legal provisions pertaining to lobster fishing.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has reviewed a new report Party to the Plunder — Illegal Fishing in Guinea and its links to the EU, that was recently presented to EU officials; if same was discussed at the recent EU Fisheries Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1479/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The report to which the Deputy refers, which was published on 8 December 2005, was not discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in December. The EU has a fisheries agreement with the Republic of Guinea, but Irish fishing vessels do not fish under this agreement.

While I have no direct knowledge of the situation in Guinea, I would be very concerned about activities as described in the report published. The problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated, IUU, fishing in general is a cause for serious concern. The EU has moved to address this problem through its plan of action on IUU fishing adopted in 2002 and the Council Conclusions on Fisheries Partnership Agreements negotiated in 2004 during the Irish Presidency, which makes it a specific requirement for each such agreement to take action to combat IUU fishing. In the specific case of the current protocol to the agreement with the Republic of Guinea, there is a provision for the payment of €800,000 for the purchase of at least two surveillance vessels to combat illegal fishing. Successful action against this problem, wherever it occurs, requires commitment on all sides, including, crucially, the local sovereign authorities.