Dempsey attacks ‘criminal’ trawlermen

A SMALL number of fishermen have been involved in systematic criminal activity and sophisticated scams, the Minister for the Marine claimed yesterday.

Noel Dempsey detailed two cases where “multi-million euro Irish trawlers” turned off or tampered with their electronic systems to fish illegally or bypass quota restrictions. Mr Dempsey disclosed the details during fractious exchanges with opposition TDs in the Dáil and at the backbench committee debating the Sea Fisheries Bill.

Several FF backbenchers have also expressed opposition to the bill. Some 220 amendments to the Bill are being debated by the Committee on Communications and the Marine.

Mr Dempsey said strong provisions are needed to tackle over-fishing and quota-busting by Irish vessels and to comply with a tougher fisheries protection regime at European level. However, those opposed to the Bill say that its measures are draconian and will criminalise Irish fishermen. They say it favours foreign vessels in Irish waters and contend administrative, not criminal, sanctions should be imposed for minor offences.

However, Mr Dempsey yesterday stood over the central thrust of the legislation. He instanced two recent cases. “Two large multi-million euro Irish trawlers turned off their er satellite tracking systems entering into protected and closed fishing areas intended to protect young mackerel for the future.” They fished in the closed waters and were prosecuted in Britain.

He alleged that two other large trawlers tampered with their tracking devices when landing catches on the West Coast. The boats’ transponders showed they were still 25-30 miles from shore at the time.

In an angry response Martin Ferris said that it was wrong to put the view that tampering of electronic equipment was systematic and widespread.

Committee chairman Noel O’Flynn asked the minister to agree such abuses were well-planned, but by a small number of people.

Several deputies, including Denis O’Donovan (FF), John Perry (FG) and Tommy Broughan (Lab) questioned the basis of more severe sanctions on Irish vessels than foreign vessels.

Eamon Ryan said European fisheries was systematically corrupt. “Everybody is corrupted by the system. Our logging system is impossible to police. This system is utterly flawed. We are heading in the direction where we will have nothing but jellyfish in our waters.”

Mr Dempsey said Irish law could not unilaterally supersede international law. It was the EU Common Fisheries Policy that determined access to Irish waters by foreign vessels.