Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1273: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to seek to ensure that all EU fisheries agreements with developing countries protect the need for sustainable fish supplies for local populations and do not disrupt or threaten the activities of local traditional fishing fleets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47738/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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All fishing vessels on the Irish Sea Fishing Boat Register, and indeed all EU-registered sea fishing boats, are subject to regulation of their activities under the provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy, wherever in the world they are fishing and whether they are within the territorial waters of a third country or on the high seas.

With the adoption of the Council Conclusions of July 2004, the EU's bilateral fisheries relations are now based on an international legal act, known as a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA), between the EU and each concerned third country. The European Union has FPAs with a number of third countries worldwide, including a number of developing countries.

These agreements are structured to contribute to sustainable fishing activities in the waters of the EU's partner country in accordance with the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy, as well as to enhance coherence with development cooperation policy and with other related policies, such as environment, trade and health. A crucial element is a financial contribution from the Community to the partner state.

EU vessels availing of fishing opportunities under these Agreements must apply for a licence through the Commission and the relevant partner state. These vessels must comply with the conditions set out in the relevant Agreement. Conditions usually include licence fees, fees per tonnes caught, quota restrictions, requirements to use local seamen, use of local port and processing facilities where available, catch reporting and requirements to co-operate with the local control and inspection authorities etc. Vessels that breach any of the licence conditions are, of course, subject to sanction.

Historically, very few Irish vessels have participated in such third country fisheries due to a lack of freezer capacity. Ireland presently has only one freezer vessel on the Irish Sea-Fishing Boat Register. Other difficulties, such as the long distances from home waters, high fuel and other costs, lack of adequate shore-based facilities, etc., have made such expeditions unattractive for the Irish pelagic fleet.

Ireland continues to participate in negotiations between the EU and developing countries, e.g. most recently the renewal of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Mauritania. The EU will contribute €86m per annum to the Mauritanian Exchequer under the agreement as well as licence fees for vessels fishing and fees per tonne caught. In addition, the Agreement will represent a significant economic boost through increased landings in Mauritanian ports, local employment, etc.

One Irish pelagic vessel received a licence in 2008 from the Mauritanian authorities under the EU/Mauritania Fisheries Partnership Agreement. There are no other Irish registered vessels fishing under this or any other such agreement at present.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1274: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to implement an observer programme on Irish fishing vessels involved in fisheries which carry a high risk of cetacean by catches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47739/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) monitors cetacean by-catches in fisheries. The programme targets, in particular, fisheries where problems with cetacean by-catches are perceived to exist — such as gillnet fisheries and the pair fishery for albacore tuna — although all relevant fisheries are being monitored.

Ireland supplies observer data to the European Commission on an annual basis as required under Council Regulation 812/2004.