d'Aire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha an bhfuil a fhios aige go bhfuil stoc na sceana mara in aice le Contae na Mí beagnach imithe faoi seo; agus cathain a chuirfidh sé coinníollacha i bhfeidhm chun smacht freagrach a chur ar an iascaireacht seo atá as smacht faoi láthair. [20729/99]
Written Answers. - Fishing Vessel Licences.
53. D'fhiafraigh
Although I am advised that levels of fishing activity have declined, I agree with the Deputy that it is essential to develop management strategies and measures which will ensure the conservation and sustainable exploitation of razor clam stocks.
As a first step my Department announced earlier this year that no further applications will be accepted for sea fishing boat licences for boats which intend to fish exclusively for bivalve molluscs, including razor clams, pending a review of the state of stocks and levels of fishing activity.
Further specific measures to regulate fishing for razor clams and to prevent excessive exploitation of stocks are being developed by my Department as a priority, in close co-operation with Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute and taking account of research on the fishery undertaken by those bodies at my request.