Positioning beacons now mandatory on all fishing vessels

Sea safety beacons are now mandatory on all fishing vessels, following an order issued yesterday by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.

All registered vessels over 24 metres must carry emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) by February 1st, and new vessels must be fitted with them by New Year's Day. They must also carry specified radio equipment and Digital Select Calling (DSC) equipment, with crew qualified to run it.

All other registered vessels must carry a VHF radio and EPIRB from March 31st, and must comply with the other requirements under new safety legislation by the end of next year.

The EPIRB provides an automatic radio link when activated or in contact with water, giving the precise position. The DSC transmits an automated distress call, giving precise location.

The measures have been introduced following the publication of reports on the disappearance of the Donegal fishing vessel Carrickatine in 1995 and the sinking of Jenalisa out of Dunmore East in 1996.

Also yesterday, Dr Woods convened the first meeting of his strategy review group on the Common Fisheries Policy. The group, which is chaired by former IDA chief executive Mr Padraic White, has been charged with co-ordinating and developing national strategies to guide Ireland's negotiating position in the forthcoming CFP review, which is due to be completed by 2002.

The composition of the strategy group was confirmed yesterday. The nominated members representing industry are: Mr Michael Long, IBEC marine council; Mr John Nolan, representing fishing co-ops; Mr Richie Flynn, the Irish Salmon Growers' Association; Mr Donal O'Driscoll, Irish South and West Fish Producers.

Organisations: Mr Joey Murrin, the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation; Mr Mark Lochrin, Irish Fish Producers' Organisation; Mr Frank Doyle, Irish Fishermen's Organisation; Mr Stephen McCahill, representing fish merchants; Mr Tom Geoghegan, the Irish Fish Processors' and Exporters' Association; Ms Bernie Wright, representing fish processing; Mr Eoghain O Cathain, also representing fish processing; and Mr John Lynch, Howth Fishermen's Association.

The Government departments and State agencies also represented are: the departments of Marine and Natural Resources, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Attorney General's Office, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Marine Institute, and Udaras na Gaeltachta.