Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
709. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will publish the recently concluded survey by the Marine Institute on brown crab stock in coastal waters here; and if he will request the Marine Institute to meet with brown crab fishermen representatives to discuss this survey and their proposals for sustaining the stock. [54259/21]
View answer710. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out the parameters and methodology used by the Marine Institute when it conducted a recent marine survey on brown crab stock in coastal waters here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54260/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 709 and 710 together.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, scientific assessments of sea-fish stocks, including inshore stocks, are carried out by the Marine Institute. The Marine Institute is the statutory body whose function is inter alia to undertake sea-fisheries research, assess and advise on the sustainable management of marine fisheries resources in the waters around Ireland and on the impacts of fisheries on the ecosystem.
The Marine Institute regularly reports on trends in the brown crab fishery in the Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries
Review, which it publishes annually with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). The Review focuses on non-quota species, such as brown crab, lobster and razor clam, as well as the activity of the shellfish fleet. It can be accessed online, along with other Marine Institute publications at oar.marine.ie/.
I am advised that the Marine Institute's recent stock assessment of brown crab included the fishery off the northwest coast (the Malin shelf stock) as well as trends in other coastal areas. The Marine Institute based its assessment on data gathered directly from skippers (by BIM and the Marine Institute) as well as landings data compiled by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. The Marine Institute collects data onboard commercial fishing vessels through its Scientific Observer programme. It also contracts skippers to gather data on catch, effort and other data relevant to stock assessment. BIM gathers similar data through the Sentinel Vessel programme.
I understand the Marine Institute has already met with inshore fishing representatives, including the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF), to present the findings from its assessment of the brown crab fishery. The Marine Institute has provided a copy of its presentation to the NIFF and the Regional Forums. In addition, the Marine Institute has informed my Department that it is preparing scientific advice regarding the brown crab fishery based on the stock assessment. When received, this advice will be carefully reviewed by my Department and will be provided to fishing industry representatives. I have asked that the Marine Institute continue to work with the fishing sector on this issue.
I expect that the brown crab fishery will be discussed when I meet with the NIFF, along with representatives from the Marine Institute, BIM and the SFPA shortly. I look forward to discussing this issue with the NIFF members, as well as how we can continue working together to support the inshore community and the wider seafood sector in achieving its potential.
I would encourage fishers to bring suggestions for the management of brown crab, as well as other inshore stocks, to the attention of their local Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum. Information regarding the Forums, including contact details, is available at the Forums' dedicated website: inshoreforums.ie/
