John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures with regard to the issue of poaching for species such as carp, bream and pike, he has put in place to ensure those fishing for these species are fully aware of the consequences of illegal fishing; the figures for prosecutions in relation to illegal fishing of these species year by year for the past ten years; if officers have been appointed to specifically tackle this issue; the laws in place to prevent this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14794/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of inland fisheries stocks rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. A considerable proportion of fisheries boards' resources and the time of personnel is devoted to protection of fish stocks.

Recently I introduced, on the advice of the fisheries boards, the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish By-Law No. 806, 2006 and the Conservation of Pike By Law No. 809, 2006, which control fishing for coarse fish referred to by the Deputy. These By-Laws provide for a number of conservation measures including that of limiting the number of fish that may be taken by anglers. Details of these instruments were advertised as stipulated in the statute and the fisheries boards have undertaken a number of initiatives to publicise their content within the regions.

It has not been possible in the time available to collate from the Boards the statistics sought in relation to prosecutions taken under these statutes. I have however asked the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Fisheries Board to gather any information available and to forward it directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.