James McDaid
Ceist:38 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals, if any, he has for the further development of lobster fisheries in Ireland. [3956/95]
Written Answers. - Lobster Fisheries.
The Deputy will no doubt be aware that in the past over-fishing and the catching of juvenile lobster has had a deleterious effect on Irish lobster fisheries.As against this, however, in recent years a new realisation has emerged of the commercial potential of lobster fishing and the consequent need to adopt effective conservation measures.
In response to that need for conservancy measures a series of Statutory Instruments designed to preserve and enhance lobster stocks around our coasts have been introduced.
Specifically, the Regulations in question prohibit the sale of lobster under 24 centimetres in length and which measure less than 85 millimetres along the carapace. A further regulation requires lobster fishermen to return to the sea female lobsters which for conservation and breeding purposes have had V notches cut in their tails. In addition lobsters mutilated so as to obliterate the V notch must also be returned to the sea. There is also a bylaw which makes it illegal to skin dive for shellfish.
In addition to conservation of existing stocks, efforts are being made in a number of areas to restock our waters from Irish hatcheries with post-larval stage lobsters. The survival rate to marketable size of these lobsters is much higher than that of larvae which are naturally released in the wild.
The South Wexford Lobster Co-operative is doing trojan work in this field and is also conducting the V notch programme.I am confident that the co-operative's work on lobster stock enhancement will bear fruit inside the next few years.
The Irish Lobster Fishermen's Association is also engaged in valuable work in organising the fishermen around the coast and deserves full credit for its efforts to heighten general awareness of the commercial potential of lobsters and the need to conserve and enhance stocks.
My Department has an excellent relationship with both of the aforementioned organisations and will continue to give every possible assistance and ensure that their interests are fully protected.
It is estimated that, around the country, there are at present approximately 2,000 lobster fishermen. The incomes of these fishermen will increase considerably if the measures referred to are consistently implemented.