Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015
143. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a limit to the number of lobster pots any one person may have in order to ensure the sustainability of the lobster fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29456/15]
View answerLobster fishing is an important economic activity in coastal fishing communities all around Ireland. Stock advice is available online in the Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review, prepared by the Marine Institute (MI) and an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). According to the 2012 Review, some 1,700 boats, approximately three quarters of the Irish fleet, participated in the fishery between April and October 2012 on all Irish coasts. Any changes to the management of this fishery are therefore given careful consideration prior to enactment. The Lobster (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 591 of 2014), which I signed into law in December 2014, concluded the roll-out of changes to lobster conservation measures which I had announced in May 2014. The regulations replace and revoke previous regulations with the objective of supporting the reproductive potential of the stock. In that regard, I am conscious of my responsibilities under the Common Fisheries Policy to strive for sustainable inshore fisheries in the long term.
The package of enhanced conservation measures I announced in May 2014 were approved following the consideration of over 250 submissions received during an extensive public consultation on the lobster fisheries. These submissions were reviewed in light of scientific advice and information on the status of the fisheries. The changes to the lobster management measures are aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of this stock by protecting its reproductive potential. The most recent stock advice from the Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review 2012 noted that the egg production level for the stock is estimated to be below generally accepted limit reference points. The measures which now apply to the lobster fishery include:
- Continued legal protection in the aforementioned regulations for lobsters v-notched under an incentivised National Lobster V-Notching Programme which provides financial support for fishermen engaged in conservation practice of v-notching live lobsters and returning them to sea to contribute to the reproductive capacity of the stock;
- The introduction of a new maximum landing size for lobster of 127mm, which took effect from 1 January 2015 through the aforementioned regulations;
- An increase in grant aid to fishermen for the voluntary v-notching of lobsters from the existing rate of 55% to a new maximum of 75% of the market price;
- Transitional arrangements that provide fishermen with grant aid of up to 80 % of the market price for v-notching oversize lobsters and returning them alive to sea during the first two years of the maximum landing size measure;
- EU regulations prohibiting the landing of lobsters of less than 87mm in carapace length.
I established the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) specifically to give inshore fishermen a voice in policy making and decisions on inshore fisheries management and to work with the Department and the marine agencies in developing robust, scientifically sound measures to support sustainable fisheries into the future. I have invited the delegates to bring forward proposals from their respective Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums on how some of the specific challenges faced by the lobster fishery could be addressed, including projects which could be funded under the forthcoming EMFF operational programme, for discussion.
Delegates in a number of regions identified recreational fishing as a growing concern and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum has brought forward proposals on how this could be addressed.
I look forward to publishing a consultation paper taking account of these proposals in the near future.
