FIANNA Fail has pledged to increase Irish fish quotas, expand employment in the marine, recruit 300 additional naval personnel for fishery protection and set up a new national authority for inland waters.
A new government led by Mr Bertie Ahern would also commit itself to a "fundamental" review of the EU Common Fisheries Policy and to rebuilding and modernising the ageing fishing fleet, the Fianna Fail spokesman on marine and defence, Mr Michael Smith, promised yesterday when he published his party's marine policy document in Dublin.
Also speaking on the marine issue during the party campaign trail in Wicklow yesterday the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, said the Irish fishing fleet must be rebuilt to face "fierce competition". Foreign fleets were taking £2 billion annually from Irish waters a value almost 14 times the size of the entire Irish fishing industry, he said.
Mr Ahern called for proper EU funding for strict surveillance and control. Bringing the Naval Service up to "the strength necessary" for "a firm policy of inspection", and providing an increasing role" for the Air Corps in fishery protection and drug interdiction was critical.
Fianna Fail would consider extending BES eligibility to replacement of fishing vessels of up to 20 metres in length, if returned to government, the document says.
The document recommends that tonnage bought from retiring fishermen be given to young sappers qualifying from training schools, as part of a fleet renewal policy.
Fianna Fail's marine policy seeks:
. An increase in fish quotas
. Review of EU Common Fisheries Policy
. Rebuilding of whitefish fleet and a new safety regime
. Immediate recruitment of 300 extra naval personnel for fishery protection
. Establishment of a new national authority for inland fisheries
. Establishment of coastal zone management authority
