Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps being taken to police over-fishing resulting in the depletion of fish stocks; if action is contemplated to allow fish stocks to recover, particularly in proximity to Irish and UK waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19581/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As custodian of some of the richest fishing grounds within the European Community, Ireland is strongly committed to the protection of our fish stocks from depletion due to over-exploitation, both at European and national levels. At EU level, Ireland has consistently argued for a level playing field in the enforcement of measures to prevent such over-exploitation, and we look forward to participating fully with other member states in the review of Control Systems planned for later this year.

At national level, enforcement of all regulations regarding over-fishing within Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (and by Irish-flagged vessels anywhere in the world), is a matter for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), an independent authority, which was established on January 1st 2007 under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. The Act clearly provides that the Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions. Fish stocks in the waters around Ireland are exploited under the umbrella of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. A fundamental principal underpinning this policy is to manage the exploitation of the fish stocks in a way that protects their long-term viability and encourages the recovery of the stocks.

Ireland has and continues to participate in a number of initiatives to encourage the recovery of fish stocks, particularly in proximity to Irish and U.K. waters. For example, in relation to the cod stocks in the Irish Sea, a pilot project is ongoing on Discards/Enhanced Data Collection, involving fishing vessels from all the coastal areas around the Irish Sea. This study has been developed collaboratively between fishing industry representatives, scientists, the North West Waters Regional Advisory Committee and the national administrations from Ireland, England and Northern Ireland. A cod recovery plan was introduced at EU level in 2004 establishing measures for the recovery of four cod stocks in the North-east Atlantic Ocean. That plan set total allowable catches (TAC's), limited fishing effort, restricted mesh sizes and closed fishing areas with a view to allowing stocks to recover to sustainable levels within a 5-10 year period.

The slow progress made towards achieving the cod recovery plan's goals has now prompted a re-examination and revision of the original cod recovery plan. A revised proposal for enhanced measures to promote the recovery of cod stocks was presented by the European Commission at the April 2008 Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers. This revised proposal, which now proposes to include the Celtic Sea, is being considered by my Department at present in conjunction with our scientists and the industry.

Other recovery measures around our coasts include areas for the protection of orange roughy and juvenile hake in waters off the south-west coast and new management measures for herring stocks in the Celtic Sea proposed by our industry with the assistance of the Marine Institute. Ireland is committed to playing a full part in any necessary management measures in that regard, as we have done in the past and continue to do. Our common goal is to have a sustainable fishing industry with sustainable fish stocks.