Speaking in Dáil Éireann this week during ‘Topical Issues’ Kerry Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris called for better policing of factory ships fishing off the Irish coast.
37 Factory Ships
“I have been contacted by a number of fishermen over the weekend and they have brought to my attention, through the marine traffic app, that there are at present roughly 37 factory ships fishing off the west coast,” Deputy Ferris told Dáil Éireann.
15,000 Tonnes of Fish Daily
“Their daily take would be between 200 and 400 tonnes of blue whiting, on a good day between them they would take nearly 15,000 tonnes of fish.”
“The consequences for the marine environment is dramatic and drastic.
Russian and Icelandic Super-trawlers
I am reliably informed there is no policing of these Russian and Icelandic super-trawlers, nor are they boarded to ascertain what they are taking or if they are in Irish or International waters.
“Minister, I have been saying for many years there needs to be inspection of these ships, there should in fact be fisheries personnel on board to record and verify what and how much these ships are taking.
Valuable Resource
“This is at a time when many Irish boats have a lack, or indeed, have no quota at all.”
“This issue needs to be fully investigated to protect our valuable resource and to ensure the future health of our fish stocks,” said Deputy Ferris.
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