Fishing Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Questions (798)

Holly Cairns

Question:

798. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are legislative or policy definitions for the minimum mesh size of netting relating to fishing sprat; if there are technical measures or restrictions on the nets that can be used in the context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31464/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The minimum mesh size requirements for fishing for sprat and other fish stocks are set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, also known as the Technical Measures Regulation.  Technical measures are rules on how, where and when fishers may fish and also include gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches.  Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 sets out the technical measures for the North Western Waters area, which includes the waters around Ireland.

Annex VI of the Technical Measures Regulation provides that the baseline mesh size for directed fishing of small pelagic species, including sprat, is at least 16mm for towed gear and at least 50mm for static nets and driftnets.  In addition, the bycatch of cod, haddock and saithe may not exceed 20% of the total catch.

Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 simplified the rule structure for technical measures as it replaced a range of different regulations that had previously been in place.  In addition, the Technical Measures Regulation facilitates a regionalised approach.  The regulation sets out the minimum standards for a seabasin, such as the North Western Waters region, and Member States in that area, in consultation with stakeholders, may propose additional measures through a Joint Recommendation.  The Technical Measures Regulation is therefore one of the key elements contributing to the conservation and sustainability of fish stocks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fishing in the waters around Ireland  and throughout EU waters.