§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the complaints of the decline in the supply of fish around the Irish coast due to the destruction or disturbance of the young fish in the breeding waters, and also to the incursion of steam trawlers within the prescribed limits and to the absence of any close season; and, if so, whether he will have inquiries instituted into this question.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) Complaints of the general decline of the supply of fish around the Irish coast have not been made, and would not, having regard to the quantities of fish landed, be justified. The question of trawling around the Irish coast has been most extensively dealt with, and at present there are about fifty by-laws in 446 force restricting or prohibiting that mode of fishing in Irish bays and inshore waters. These by-laws are, on the whole, well observed. Breaches of their provisions have occasionally taken place, but since 1899 about fifty prosecutions have been instituted resulting, in most cases, in the infliction of substantial penalties. Although no actual close season has been fixed for any kind of sea fish, nevertheless certain regulations have in some instances been made which have the same effect as the establishment of a close time. If the decline of fish in any particular locality around the Irish coast be brought under the notice of the Department of Agriculture, an inquiry will be held if the circumstances are deemed to warrant it.