Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1370. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the discarding of fish remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34868/19]
View answerThe landing obligation (also referred to as the ‘discards ban’) was introduced as part of the current Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The objective of the landing obligation is to eliminate the wasteful and unsustainable practice of discarding fish. The landing obligation was phased in and was fully implemented on 1st January 2019. The Landing obligation, as part of the CFP framework, is a key tool for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters.
The discarding of fish offal from fish processed on board, however, is not covered by the landing obligation. If the Deputy would like to further pursue this issue, I would suggest contacting the National Parks and Wildlife Service and/or the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as the national bodies responsible for seagulls.
