§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received a Petition from over 400 line fishermen of Belfast Lough asking for a more strict enforcement of the regulations against trawling in the lough; if so, what reply, if any, has been sent to the petitioners; whether he can state the number of prosecutions for illegal trawling in the lough which took place during the year ending 31st May, 1909, 244W and in how many cases convictions were secured and what were the penalties imposed; how many of these prosecutions were brought at the instigation of the Coastguard; and whether, seeing that the existing bye-laws were made 16 years ago, and that owing to the facilities given for illegal trawling and the consequent destruction of fish spawn the quantity of fish taken in the lough has been reduced almost to a minimum, the Department will take any action to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe Department have received a Petition from a large number of persons asking that Belfast Lough "be included in the list of areas prohibited for trawling purposes." Trawling restrictions already exist in Belfast Lough, and the petitioners were informed that these restrictions were made after full inquiry, and that the circumstances of the case did not appear to have changed to such an extent as to justify the Department in reopening the matter. They were also informed that the restrictions would be enforced so far as might be possible with the means at the disposal of the Department. The Department have at their disposal but one cruiser for the purpose of enforcing bye-laws. The number of prosecutions for illegal trawling in the lough which took place in the year ended 31st May, 1909, was six. Two of these cases were reported by the Coastguard. Convictions were secured in all cases, and penalties ranging from 10s. to £1, with costs, were imposed by the Magistrates. Since that date nine prosecutions have taken place, in all of which convictions were secured. The penalties ranged from 10s. to £1, with costs. The detections in these nine cases were made by the Department's cruiser. An additional case is pending. It may be well to state that the Department received in February last a request from the Belfast trawler fishermen that the existing restrictions on trawling in Belfast Lough should be removed. They were informed that the restrictions in question were made after full inquiry, and that the circumstances of the case did not appear to have changed to such an extent as to justify the Department in reopening the question. If any facts be brought before the Department as to the injurious effects of such trawling as is permitted in the Lough at present, or as to the necessity for further opening the Lough to trawlers, they will receive careful consideration.