Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
752. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to examine diversification options for inshore fishermen, for example, spur dog which is being reported in increased numbers along the coast; if the Marine Institute will work with inshore fishermen to ascertain to establish those current numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47821/21]
View answerThe Strategy for the Inshore Fisheries Sector 2019-2023 is the first industry-led blueprint for the Irish inshore fisheries sector involving the National and Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums. I understand an inclusive approach was taken to identifying key issues and priorities for the sector, including a Steering Group with industry and State partners, a dedicated workshop and public consultation. Priorities identified in the Strategy include the development of a profile of the inshore sector, building the sector’s capacity to engage with policy development and enhancing industry’s understanding of management and planning for inshore fisheries. I understand that the Strategy also facilitates the investigation of new diversification opportunities for the inshore fisheries sector where supported by solid evidence. I am advised that the National Inshore Fisheries Forum is in the process of implementing the Strategy with support from BIM, my Department and other Agencies.
Regarding spurdog, under EU Regulation, it is prohibited to target, retain on board, tranship or land picked dogfish, also known as spurdog, in North Western Waters. The stock was subject to high harvest rates for more than four decades, and fisheries were not managed during this time.
The species is a long-lived, slow growing and late maturing species and is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to over-fishing. Conservation measures in recent years have reduced mortality significantly and stabilised the decline. The biomass (a measures of the quantity of the stock) of the species has started to increase slowly, however, the biomass remains extremely low and is below the biomass limit reference point established by ICES.
The latest scientific advice issued by ICES on 2nd October 2020 is that there should be no targeted fisheries for dogfish in 2021 and 2022. The TAC and quotas for 2021 were set by the EU Council following this advice. As this is a shared stock with the UK, setting TACs and quotas for 2022 will form part of the EU/UK bilateral negotiations, which will have regard for ICES advice for the stock for 2022. Any EU/UK bilateral agreement will form part of the EU Commission's proposal for EU TACs and quotas for 2022 to be considered for adoption by the EU Fisheries Council.
While there is a very limited quota available for use only in pilot schemes designed to reduce by-catches in 2021, any such schemes are subject to European Commission approval and must relate to reducing by-catches of dogfish in other fisheries, i.e. the targeting of dogfish would remain prohibited. A scheme for dogfish avoidance was explored by the Marine Institute but, following consultation with the Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), it was decided not to proceed further with a scheme taking into account how such a scheme would operate.
I requested the Marine Institute (MI) to consider proposals for cooperation between the MI and industry in conducting surveys on the abundance of spurdog around the coast. The Marine Institute has advised that last month it met with inshore fishing industry representatives from the National Inshore Fisherman's Association (NIFA) and the National Inshore Fishermen's Organisation (NIFO) to discuss the current scientific information and advice on spurdogs. During the meeting the latest scientific information and industry perspectives were discussed. I am advised that the meeting was constructive and identified a number of practical actions to improve the scientific assessment on spurdogs relating to the recording of catches and enhanced data collection.
I have asked that the Marine Institute continue to work with the inshore fishing sector and through the Irish Fisheries Science Research Partners, involving industry representatives, Marine Institute and BIM, to improve the scientific evidence base which underpins sustainable fisheries management of spurdog and other stocks.
