Vol. 487 No. 3
40 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will introduce a scheme to license lobster fishermen in an effort to conserve stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3930/98]
There is a growing awareness of the commercial potential of lobster fishing for inshore fishermen around the coast. My Department together with BIM is working in close consultation with the lobster fishing industry to ensure that effective stock conservation, management and development strategies are put in place and that the necessary support is forthcoming.
Active encouragement, and financial support through the EU PESCA Initiative and the Leader Programme, has been given to locally generated stock preservation and enhancement programmes. Statutory controls on lobster fishing have been introduced to underpin these voluntary initiatives. Specifically, the sale of lobsters below a specified minimum size has been banned, and lobsters which are "V notched" must be returned to the sea for breeding purposes. The "V notch" programme is proving to be successful and paying dividends in terms of stock enhancement.
Proposals have been made by certain sections of the lobster fishing industry that statutory controls, in the form of specific lobster fishing licences, should be introduced as a further protection and incentive. While I fully support the underlying objective there are complex legal and practical implications inherent in this approach. These are being assessed by my Department in consultation with the Office of Attorney General and BIM and there will be detailed ongoing discussions with the lobster fishermen with a view to working out an agreed and achievable framework within which the industry can go forward.
