Holly Cairns
Question:232. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if scallop dredging is permitted in special areas of conservation. [58449/22]
View answerWednesday, 23 November 2022
Questions (232)
Written answers
I can inform the Deputy that a number of fisheries, including scallop, which involve the use of sea-bed impacting gear such as dredges, are regulated under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 and in the case of Special Areas of Conservation and other protected Natura 2000 sites, the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Sea-fisheries) Regulations, 2013. A series of appropriate assessments and risk assessments have been undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute over the years with regard to sea-fisheries in or near Natura 2000 sites. It must be noted that such sites include a variety of habitats and species, each with varying sensitivities and in respect of introducing measures to manage sea-fisheries, regard must be had to the specific conservation objectives for each habitat and species within these sites. While scallop dredging is not prohibited in Special Areas of Conservation, my Department has introduced a number of risk mitigation measures in the case of bivalve dredge fisheries, including scallop, in order to fulfil Ireland’s obligations under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives for protected habitats and species.In the case of scallop fishing, this activity is not permitted to occur in sensitive habitats including seagrass, coral and reef. A number of scallop fishing exclusion areas have been set out in a number of sites to protect sensitive habitats. Such exclusions are established in Roaringwater Bay in Co. Cork, north of Saltee Islands and in the Hook Head area of Wexford and Blacksod Bay in Co. Mayo which are provided for in legislation in the form of Fisheries Natura Declarations. The Deputy may wish to refer to the Fisheries Natura Declarations in place which can be viewed at www.fishingnet.ie.I can advise the Deputy that scallop fishing is allowed to occur in sedimentary habitats such as sand and gravel in Special Areas of Conservation on the basis that its frequency or intensity is limited and that habitats can recover between fishing seasons or where the footprint of the fishery is limited relative to the spatial extent of these habitats. In such instances, the effects of scallop fishing on habitats are deemed not to be significant.I am very aware of the importance of putting measures in place, where relevant, to mitigate the risks of fishing for scallop and other bivalve fisheries with dredges to sensitive habitats within our bays so as to protect and maintain these habitats and the quality of our marine environment which is vital to the sustainability of our seafood sector.