Trevor Sargent
Question:45 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine the role, if any, he has in permitting or assisting with the enhancement of the lobster breeding habitat off-shore at Loughshinney harbour. [3636/97]
Written Answers. - Lobster Conservation.
There is growing awareness in fishing communities around the coast of the considerable commercial potential of lobster fishing and the consequent need for effective conservation and management strategies to protect and enhance this valuable resource.
In response to this, a series of regulations have been put in place, backed up by the availability of financial support, under the EU PESCA initiative, for local lobster conservation and management programmes. The conservation measures, notably, ban the sale of lobsters under 85 millimetres in length and require female lobsters which are "V notched"for breeding purposes to be returned to the sea.
The conservation measures are designed to underpin development of lobster fisheries on a managed basis and to maximise the returns of the fishery in terms of jobs and revenue in coastal communities. The regulations were introduced at the request of lobster fishermen and in full consultation with them. The measures are also being kept under review with the advice and input of the fishermen themselves.
I am pleased to say that conservation programmes involving the V-notching of lobsters are now under way around the coast and are fully eligible for grant-aid under the PESCA community initiative. In 1996 I approved £11,000 in grant-aid for a lobster V-notching programme being undertaken by the north-east lobster association which covers the coast from Carlingford Lough to Dublin Bay, including Louthshinney. A number of fishermen from Loughshinney have become active in the association.
The development of local lobster fishery programmes is set to continue and expand and will receive every encouragement from the Department and BIM.