The Voisinage arrangements are long-standing reciprocal arrangements which have allowed fishing boats from Northern Ireland access to fish within the 0-6 nautical mile zone of the territorial waters of the State and vice versa. The European Commission has confirmed that the arrangements are preserved under the EU-UK Trade & Co-operation Agreement by Article FISH.19 ‘Relationship with other agreements’. The application of the arrangements post-Brexit is governed by the Sustainable Management of External Fishing Fleets Regulation (2017/2403).
Regarding applications by Irish sea-fishing boat owners to establish those who wish to be authorised to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone, the Department has regularly submitted lists of the applicant vessels to the European Commission seeking authorisation for them to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone. However, none have yet been authorised to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone by the UK authorities. The Department is continuing to review applications from Irish sea-fishing boat owners and additional applications will be sent on to the European Commission at regular intervals. As of 30th April 2021, details of 190 vessels have been provided to the European Commission.
