Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the actions his forces have taken to combat the plunder and over-exploitation of the Irish Mussel seed resource by UK fleets; if he has plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Mussel Seed Fishery is managed on an All-Island basis involving the Bottom Grown Mussel Forum (BGMF) which is comprised of elected aquaculture industry representatives from around the coast as agreed by the authorities of both jurisdictions.

Responsibility for the control and enforcement of these All-Island management measures, within this jurisdiction, rests with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) & the Naval Service.

The SFPA is an independent agency of the Irish State, established under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, in whose operational functions and activities I have no remit. Equally, I have no remit with regard to the operational activities of the Naval Service.

If the Deputy has any knowledge of illegal fishing he should make such information available to the SFPA.