Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the increasing awareness in recent years of the impact of fishing operations on cetacean populations, he intends to sign the Agreement on the Conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas. [33453/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the conservation of cetaceans rests with the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and any decision on signing up to the Agreement on the Conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas rests with the Minister. Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004, lays down measures concerning incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries. We are currently working with other Member States to finalise the implementation of this Regulation which involves the use of acoustic deterrent devices on gill nets in certain areas. It also requires Member States to introduce on board observer schemes to monitor cetacean by catches in certain fisheries. In compliance with Council Regulation 812/2004 observer data has been supplied for the period 2005-2006.

In relation to Irish fishing operations I am advised that the level of cetacean by-catch in the Irish fishing fleet has not been high. However the Department remains concerned to minimise this by-catch. In this regard Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), an agency of the Department, continues to work with the fishing industry to develop new techniques to prevent or significantly reduce incidences of cetacean by-catch. Minor adjustments to fishing practices in relation to fishing times and areas have been shown to have a significant impact.