The Naval Service has recorded a 6 per cent increase in fishery arrests in Irish waters over the past year, and a 10 per cent increase in boardings of vessels.
Forty-three fishing vessels were detained in 2001, and an additional 164 written warnings were issued for various offences. Patrol ships sighted 2,387 vessels at sea within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone over the 12 months.
The defence wing also assisted the Central Fisheries Board to monitor the summer commercial salmon fishery, and 146 boardings were carried out during June and July. The tuna fishery from west of the Azores up to the south-west coast was patrolled as part of Ireland's commitment to the North-East Atlantic Fishery Commission, and was far less contentious than the previous year. 2001 was the last season during which driftnetting for tuna was permitted under EU regulations.
Satellite monitoring is now an integral part of the work, and the National Fisheries Monitoring Centre at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork, can receive positions of up to 300 fishing vessels at any one time.
Search-and-rescue activity was down slightly on 2000 - reflecting the fact that fishing vessel accidents were down by a third on the previous 12 months. Patrol ships were involved in 25 search-and-rescue operations in support of the Irish Coast Guard.
The service also continued offshore surveillance in joint task force drug interdiction duties, and assisted the Revenue Commissioners in the recent seizures of illegally imported cigarettes in Dundalk port, Co Louth.
The diving section now has a remotely operated vehicle which can be used for seabed searches for drugs or contraband. It can also assist in underwater search and recovery, along with ships' side scan sonar equipment. Last year, naval divers were involved in 19 missions, ranging from explosive ordnance disposal of second World War mines and depth charges, to searches for bodies, to hull searches for Customs and Excise and security for visiting warships.
The oldest ship in the fleet, the LE Deirdre, was replaced by the new LE Niamh during 2001, and the Naval Service also continued to work on its five-year implementation plan, approved by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith.
