Probe launched into fish depletion

Date: 26/07/01

THE European Commission is conducting an investigation into reports that the world's largest fishing vessel, the Irish-registered Atlantic Dawn, is contributing to the depletion of fish stocks in African waters.

The probe will examine whether Ireland is breaching limits on the size of its fleet set by the so-called multi-annual guidance programme (MAGP). "There are indications it could be exceeding its capacity by 20 or 30%," said one fisheries official.

However, there is a complication to the inquiry: The h63-million Atlantic Dawn is currently located off Mauritania as part of a private deal between its owner and the country's government, rather than a formal EU-sponsored agreement with the West African state.

The 145-metre-long Norwegian-built ship - which is capable of carrying 7,000 tonnes of processed fish - is owned by Irish businessman Kevin McHugh. Environmentalists say its activities could trigger a decline in fish stocks and jeopardise the traditional way of life for indigenous fishermen.

A spokeswoman for the Department of the Marine in Dublin declined to comment on the investigation, apart from confirming that it has been in contact with Brussels about the matter. No deadline has been fixed for completing the probe.

The European Commission is conducting an investigation into reports that the world's largest fishing vessel, the Irish-registered Atlantic Dawn, is contributing to the depletion of fish stocks in African waters.