Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures he intends taking in response to the fact that a company (details supplied) views that, for the Irish Sea and the west of Scotland, its data on fish stocks is very bad and that Ireland's marine scientists are openly questioning the scientific basis of EU total allowable catches, in view of the perceived widespread under-reporting and misreporting of landings. [2187/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The continuing need for conservation of fish stocks demonstrates the importance of having timely and accurate scientific advice available to allow for decision making. The scientific community has, for many years, expressed a general concern on both the quality and availability of fisheries data to assist it in its task of assessing fish stocks. This is a source of concern to me as it is to my colleagues on the Fisheries Council.

Detailed rules and regulations are in place governing the recording of catches of fish stocks and for landings by EU fishing vessels. Misreporting and under-reporting of catches is considered a serious infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, and there are significant penalties in place for such contraventions.

I stress the great importance which Ireland attaches to compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, including reporting obligations on fishermen. As part of the drive to increase the effectiveness of fisheries surveillance, major enhancements to national fisheries control and enforcement capabilities have been implemented in recent years, and currently there is a recruitment process under way for additional sea fisheries protection officers. In addition, I announced recently during the Second Stage debate on the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill my intention to establish an independent body charged with the enforcement of national, EU and international sea fisheries law.