Celtic League Campaign Vindicated

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

SUPER TRAWLERS INSPECTED AND EXTREMELY POSITIVE PROPOSAL FROM DPFtA OVER ONBOARD OBSERVERS

In a clear demonstration that campaigning and publicity works it has been revealed that two “super trawlers” which have quotas to fish in Irish waters have been inspected by the Irish authorities, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has confirmed.

Inspections of the Annelies Ilena, formerly the Irish-owned Atlantic Dawn and the Margiris took place during the period December 12th and 14th and were undertaken by the Irish Naval Service and the Irish Sea Fisheries Protect Authority.

Both the Annelies Ilena, and Margiris were part of a group of four so-called ‘super trawlers’ we had identified working intensively in an area off Irelands West coast from Galway to North Donegal in mid November.

The Celtic League wrote at the time expressing concern to both the Irish and UK governments and the EU (see links):

https://www.celticleague.net/…/super-trawlers-ban-them-call/
https://www.celticleague.net/…/initial-response-on-super-t…/
https://www.celticleague.net/…/ireland-coveney-powerless-a…/
https://www.celticleague.net/…/giant-trawlers-also-threat-…/
https://www.celticleague.net/…/monster-trawlers-rape-seas-…/

Apparently plans by the Naval Service to inspect the vessels sooner were hampered by weather conditions.

Both vessels were found on this occasion to be in compliance with fishery law but the Annelies Ilena has in the past faced prosecution.

However in an extremely significant development the Dutch Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association (DPFtA) has said it would have ‘no problem’ with independent wild-life observers being onboard their vessels if the same system were applied to all ‘pelagic’ fishing vessels in European Waters.

A major concern expressed by both the Celtic League and the Irish Wildlife Trust is the damage that the intensive fishing involved causes to cetaceans (whales, dolphins etc) caught as by catch during the fishing process.

The DPFtA proposal needs to be vigorously pursued by all bodies with the EU Fisheries Commissioner. This is a huge opportunity to have independent scrutiny of this particularly intensive and potentially damaging fishery process.

BERNARD MOFFATT

Issued by: The Celtic News

22/12/15

THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues

http://celticleague.net