Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2023
283. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to monitor the activities of super trawlers operating in Irish territorial waters, including his views on requiring CCTV monitoring to be installed on such vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14289/23]
View answerCouncil Regulation 1224/2009, known as the Control Regulation, establishes a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy and establishing a level-playing field across the EU on fisheries control. In 2018, the Commission published a proposal to amend the Control Regulation. Negotiations on the proposal are ongoing at a political trilogue level between the EU Council, the EU Commission and the European Parliament.
I am supportive of many of the proposed changes in the Commission proposal that strengthen the EU arrangements for control, inspection and enforcement. Regarding Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) measures such as on-board CCTV, Ireland is supportive of the introduction of a risk-based REM system. As a Coastal Member State, we are seeking access to the data gathered within this system on a near real time basis to support the work of the Naval Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. This a critically important tool given the control obligations that Ireland has in respect of all vessels operating in our 200 mile zone.
The Department continues to engage fully in the negotiation process and continues to be actively involved in the ongoing discussions.
