Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
43. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 25 May 2023, for an update on plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34656/23]
View answerIn December 2018, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels over 18 metres would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18 metres targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone. A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures.
This decision to exclude vessels over 18 metres from trawling inside the six nautical miles has been the subject of extended legal proceedings further to a Judicial Review to the High Court taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy.
Further to the final judgment of the Courts in the matter of the exclusion of 18 metre vessels from trawling inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines as set out in my reply to PQ No. 87 of 25 May 2023, I have approved the commissioning of updated scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara respectively on trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles. Once policy options are identified, I intend to proceed anew with a public consultation on this matter.
