Irish people do not want your super trawlers in our waters
Gerard, thank you for the illuminating facts in your letter of November 17.
The fact that your vessels are part of a larger EU pelagic fleet is hardly comforting.
The fact, Gerard, that all these vessels are the same size and use the same size of pelagic nets is horrific.
The fact that the quota allowed to these boats is ‘substantial’ is terrifying, and is certainly something we need to have changed without delay.
And thank you for pointing out the health of our fish, Gerard. The fact that the fish off Irish shores are healthy is a situation we desperately need to continue, and is at the core of our fight to ban super trawlers.
The fact is that we have not seen any evidence of the enforcement of regulations you speak of. Where is the evidence of the policing of these controls?
The Irish Wildlife Trust is still waiting on confirmation of an independent observer onboard the FV Margiris. This observer is supposed to witness the by-catch from these vessels, an accidental catch which can include whales, dolphins, seals and sharks.
The fact that the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) allows foreign super trawlers on our waters, while our own small trawlers have severely restricted quotas in the same waters is unfair and is being addressed in our campaign.
The fact is that Ireland does not have a pelagic freezer trawler (super trawler).
The fact is, Gerard, that Irish people do not want foreign super trawlers in our waters, and we will target our Government, its agencies, the EU and yourselves in our campaign until we have banished you from our shores.
The ocean is a delicate balance — if we take too much, it will stop giving.
But thank you Gerard, you have focused our attention on some areas.
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