Mackerel catch limits and enforcement
Deasy warned that mackerel catches had exceeded recommended limits in 1976 and 1977 and could deplete stocks. Lenihan agreed that controls were important, but said effective enforcement depended on an EEC Common Fisheries Policy, for which he hoped to see progress.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will take steps to ensure that the EEC adhere to the recommended total allowable catch for mackerel off the Irish, British and French coasts in view of the events which have been happening in recent years.
Comment on this
The 1979 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) proposed by the EEC Commission for the mackerel stock in question (that is the Western Mackerel Stock) coincides with that recommended by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. This TAC has been accepted in principle by all member states of the EEC but no quotas have as yet been adopted.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that the total allowable catch of mackerel was exceeded in 1976 by 70 per cent and by 30 per cent in 1977 and that there is a fear these stocks will be greatly depleted unless controls are rigidly enforced?
Comment on this
I agree with the Deputy. This whole question of control is bound up with the as yet non-existent EEC Common Fisheries Policy. As the Deputy is aware, the difficulties which have been encountered in the achievement of that over the past 12 months have been almost entirely due to the intransigence of the last British Government. There are signs that that is changing rapidly, and I hope for substantial progress towards such a settlement being made at the June meeting of the Council of Ministers. There are already indications that the present British Government is taking a more positive view than the negative view consistently pursued by the last British Government.
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