HC Deb 28 February 1895 vol 31 cc29-30
MR. J. MAINS

On behalf of the hon. Member for Galway City (Mr. J. Pinkerton), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that steam trawlers are now fishing in Galway Bay, going inside the boundary line under cover of darkness and fishing that portion of the Bay allowed to sailing trawlers; whether it has been reported by the skippers of the sailing boats that the steam trawlers cover their official numbers, and sail without showing any lights so as to avoid detection, thereby causing a serious danger to life and property by being in the course of steamers and sailing vessels entering the port of Gal way; whether it has been reported to the Customs in Galway that, on the 22nd January 1895, one of these steam trawlers was fishing inside the boundary line, and her official number given as "Deal Castle, H 195;" whether any steps will be taken against master and owner of said trawler; whether a report has been made to the Customs that three steam trawlers were seen within the Bay on the 18th and 19th inst. and on other occasions; and if he will advise the Fishery Board to order a gunboat to visit the Bay at night and to seize any steam trawler found fishing there, and also request the coastguards at Arran Islands, Costello Bay, and Ballyvaughan to watch and report illegal trawler-fishing within the boundary line?

MR. J. MORLEY

The Inspectors of Fisheries inform me that the facts are as stated in the first three paragraphs. The owner of the particular trawler referred to asked that, as this was a first offence, the proceedings should be stayed, and undertook that the offence would not occur again. The Inspectors accordingly did not press the case, but warned the owner that a repetition of the offence would be differently dealt with. A report of further illegal trawling has been received by the Inspectors, who, I understand, are about to apply to the Government for the services of a cruiser. The coastguard at the places named will report any breaches of the law that come under their observation.