I propose to take Questions Nos. 795 to 797, inclusive, together.
Sea-fishing boat licensing is the responsibility of the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. The details of all currently registered Irish sea-fishing boats are available on the Irish Fishing Boat Register, which is published online: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/seafood/seafisheriesadministration/seafisheriesadministration/seafishingfleetregister/
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including those in relation to law enforcement. I will forward your query regarding vessel monitoring to the SFPA for direct response.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) issues regular publications on the economic output and performance for seafood production, including aquaculture. BIM also carries out survey programmes related to mussels and, from time to time, commissions reports on particular aspects of the mussel industry. BIM's publications in this regard can be found online at
http://www.bim.ie/our-publications/.
The Marine Institute generally advises on fisheries interactions with marine ecosystems.
The Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Mussel Seed) (Opening of Fisheries) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 464 of 2019), permits mussel seed fishing to take place from 20 September to 22 December 2019. Fishing is restricted to periods that are specified as suitable tides. The statutory instrument also identifies that such fishing is also restricted in a number of areas.