The row over surveillance of Irish tuna vessels has taken a new twist, with the first detention of a foreign vessel engaged in this season's fishery off the south-west coast.
The Spanish-registered Maria Digna is due to be handed over to the Garda authorities by the Naval Service in Castletownbere, Co Cork, today following its apprehension within the 200-mile limit yesterday by the patrol ship, LE Roisin. The vessel was held 160 miles south-west of Mizen Head for alleged failure to complete the logbook and other technical offences.
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, is due in Castletownbere today to meet fishing industry representatives, following the temporary lifting of blockades in both that port and Dingle, Co Kerry, at the weekend over claims of undue monitoring of Irish tuna vessels.
The Minister has taken a hardline stance on a fishery which is due to be banned in two years' time, and which was initially encouraged with State funding. His predecessor, Dr Woods, questioned the scientific basis for the EU ban on tuna driftnets, and backed an unsuccessful case taken by the French government to the European Court of Justice.
Following a meeting with protesting fishermen last Sunday in Kenmare, Co Kerry, Mr Fahey promised to contact his French and Spanish counterparts on inspection of their tuna fleet's activities outside the 200-mile limit.
He also intends to ask the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, to "beef up" Naval Service/Air Corps monitoring of other vessels in the Irish exclusive economic zone. Both services are stretched to their limit in terms of monitoring the 132,000-square mile sea area - the EU's second-largest. Outside the 200-mile limit, where the tuna shoals are moving, the Naval Service is only empowered to board Irish flag vessels.
Last weekend's protests were sparked off by the detention of a fourth Irish vessel in a month.
A wide range of issues, beyond the tuna row, will be raised by the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation at today's meeting with the Minister. These will include demands for even-handed control and surveillance, and the need for a second whitefish fleet renewal package.
