Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
716. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has developed or is developing a strategy to support sustainable and eco-friendly inshore fishing; the grant funding that is available; if he has engaged with fishing representative organisations on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54462/21]
View answer720. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to allow the inshore fishing fleet to diversify its fishing opportunities away from over reliance on non-quota shellfish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54466/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 716 and 720 together.
Ireland’s goals for sustainable fisheries, including those inshore, are supported through the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The CFP provides the framework for the long-term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters.
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future reflects this approach by committing to protect marine biodiversity and to secure a sustainable future for the fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities. In the Programme, the Government has committed to supporting the inshore fisheries sector in specific ways, including ensuring 'that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit. I am fully supportive of this objective.
The National Inshore Fisheries Forum is currently in the process of implementing the first industry-led Strategy for the Irish inshore fisheries sector, with support from BIM, my Department and other agencies. The Strategy, which was launched in 2019, was developed through an extensive consultation process that engaged members of the inshore sector as well as other stakeholders. The 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 the industry’s understanding of management and planning for inshore fisheries.
The Strategy also facilitates the investigation of new diversification opportunities for the inshore fisheries sector where supported by solid evidence. While the inshore sector does focus on fishing for non-quota shellfish species, such as brown crab, lobster, cockle and razor clam, it should be noted that there are inshore fishers who fish for quota stocks as well, including demersal and pelagic stocks. For pelagic stocks such as mackerel, herring and horse mackerel, a number of fishing opportunities have been made available particularly for inshore fishing vessels.
In relation to funding, financial supports are available to the inshore fisheries sector under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme (EMFF) which my Department runs. The EMFF Sustainable Fisheries Scheme makes available grants to inshore fishers for investment on board to improve energy efficiency, selective fishing gear, health and safety and hygiene, product quality and to add value to catch. Grant rates of up to 70% are available for small scale coastal fisheries (SSCF) vessels. As the EMFF Programme is ending, the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme has recently closed to allow BIM time to assess what funds remain available for the scheme and it may briefly re-open again shortly.
Separately, the EMFF Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme offers grants to inshore fishers for capital investment onshore for facilities such as storage and refrigeration. This scheme provides grants of up to 80% for SSCF vessels.
My Department is presently preparing a new Seafood Development Programme for the 2021-27 period under the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. It is anticipated that this new Programme should be in place during the first half of 2022.
I have met with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and heard directly the concerns and goals of the inshore fisheries sector. I will be meeting with the Forum again shortly, along with representatives from the marine agencies. I look forward to discussing with the Forum members how we can continue working together to support the inshore community and the wider seafood sector in achieving its potential.
