Vol. 488 No. 3
52 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide individual lobster licences for lobster fishermen belonging to East Waterford Lobster Co-operative Society Limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6084/98]
53 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will include East Waterford Lobster Co-Operative Society Limited in the pilot project, if any, to be carried out in the joint area from Rosslare to Clonea Strand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6085/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
Statutory controls on lobster fishing have been introduced in recent years to underpin voluntary stock conservation, management and development 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.
Proposals have been made by certain sections of the lobster fishing industry that additional statutory controls in the form of specific lobster fishing licences should be introduced as a further protection and incentive. While I am sympathetic to 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 the Attorney General and BIM and I assure the Deputy that there will be detailed ongoing consultation with lobster fishermen with the aim of working out an agreed and achievable framework within which the industry can go forward.
