Foreign vessels convicted of illegal fishing
The Minister reported 51 convictions since 1970, including 18 French and 19 Spanish vessels, with the remainder from seven other countries. Deasy urged the Minister to use the cases in negotiations and noted that many vessels might escape detection; the Minister acknowledged the point.
asked the Minister for Fisheries the number of foreign vessels that have been convicted of illegal fishing within this country's exclusive limits or of entering territorial waters with intent to fish, since 1st January 1970; and if he will list the number from each country involved.
Comment on this
Fifty-one foreign fishing boats were convicted of illegal entry and fishing within the exclusive fishery limits of the State since 1st January 1970. Of these, 18 were French, 19 Spanish, 5 Dutch, 4 United Kingdom, 1 Belgian, 1 Norwegian, 1 Russian, 1 Roumanian, and 1 Bulgarian.
Comment on this
As these countries are attempting to set up fishing rights within our limits, the Minister should use this case of wholesale poaching when he is negotiating with these people. I assume that for every boat caught hundreds are getting away.