Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities.  Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service.  I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including in relation to law enforcement.

In relation to the access so called ‘super trawlers’ have to Irish waters, I should point out that all foreign fishing vessels, on the north-west coast, are precluded from Ireland’s 12 mile fishing zone, other than for transit purposes and all foreign pelagic fishing vessels, including pelagic factory vessels,  are also precluded from Ireland’s 12 mile fishing zone on  the west coast.  In addition, Irish fishing vessels equal to or greater than 36.58 m (120 ft) in length, are precluded from Ireland’s 12 mile zone.

Under Regulation the Common Fisheries Policy, changes to fisheries policy involving access or restriction to fishing opportunities or fishing areas come within the sole competency of the EU.  Only the EU Commission may propose changes and any such proposal must be adopted under the co-decision process by the EU Parliament and EU Council. 

In relation to the overall framework for fisheries control in the EU, in October 2009 a new regulation dealing with fisheries controls was adopted.  Council Regulation 1224/2009 establishes a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy.  Control and inspection is now focused where it is most effective through an approach based on systematic risk analysis. Inspection procedures are standardised and harmonised for all stages in the market chain, including transport and marketing.  The Control Regulations were introduced so that there is a common EU level playing field and to provide for an effective range of controls across EU waters.   

The SFPA and the Naval Service through the Fisheries Monitoring Centre have monitored the movements of these vessels when in our Exclusive Fisheries Zone, using the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Automatic Identification System (AIS) and declared catches through Electronic Reporting System (ERS).  The SFPA is reliant on the seagoing fishery patrol activity of the Naval Service to verify compliance of vessels not landing into Ireland.  Further details of monitoring and control of fishing activities by all vessels within Ireland's 200 miles Exclusive Fisheries Zone may be sought from the SFPA who are the competent authority for Sea Fisheries Control within Ireland's Exclusive Fishery Zone.

I have asked that the SFPA provide the data requested on the monitoring and control aspects of your question directly to your office.