Irish Sea pollution report
The Minister said the Department had received the ICES report, which discusses oceanography, biology and pollutants and notes that most Irish Sea fisheries have faced heavy fishing pressure. He agreed to provide a copy to Members or lodge it in the Library; the exchange included brief interruptions and was then closed.
asked the Minister for the Marine if his Department have recently received the report on pollution levels in fishing waters in the Irish Sea prepared on behalf of the Council for the Exploration of the Seas; if he will outline the implications of the report for the Irish fishing industry; if it is intended to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
My Department have received a copy of the recently published report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). This report has been published by ICES as part of their co-operative research series. The report brings together information on the Irish Sea in relation to oceanography, biology and the impact of pollutants, other than radioactive pollutants, which will be the subject of a separate report.
With regard to information on fish and fisheries, the report's main comment is that most of the Irish Sea fisheries have been under heavy fishing pressure for some time. The report concludes that the only discernible effect on fish stocks from man's activities is from intensive fishing and not from pollution. Necessary conservation measures in respect of fish stocks in the Irish Sea are adopted by the EC on the basis of scientific advice from ICES. Scientists from my Department participate fully in the formulation of this advice.
Deputy McCartan rose.
Comment on this
The Minister said this report has been published, but it has not. Will he make it available to Members of this House or have a copy lodged in the Library?