NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
The gigantic super trawler Annelies Ilena is making steady progress up the Irish Sea its now west of the Isle of Man and seems to be heading to the North Channel. Our prediction three days ago (when we started tracking it in the English Channel) that it might be heading to grounds off Donegal where a similar vessel has been operating may yet be vindicated. Off Donegal the Margaris only slightly smaller than the Annelies Ilena has been fishing for days not even deterred by Storm Abigail which battered western Ireland and Scotland. Such is the size of these vessels nothing seems to deter them
This vessel and the Margaris not only have the capacity to process vast tonnages of fish and also waste fish in the form of discards but they also pose a threat to marine mammals such as dolphins and seals.
There activities definitely need to be curbed and I will be suggesting to the General Secretary of the Celtic League that he write to the British, French and Irish governments seeking some EU initiative on these vessels because of the damage they cause.
Irish authorities say they can only monitor their activities but other countries have kicked them out including Australia.
This very informative video (30 mins length) on Youtube covers the seizure of the Annelies Ilena prior to it being ejected Australian waters (link).
Irish authorities should wake up to the damage being wrought by these leviathans not only to their fish stocks but the whole eco-system of these Islands
BERNARD MOFFATT
Issued by: The Celtic News
15/11/15
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