Vol. 500 No. 3
46 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has to grant individual lobster licences to members of the East Waterford Lobster Co-op Society Limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1233/99]
Stock conservation and rational exploitation of resources are critical for the long-term viability and sustainability of the lobster fishery, which is of considerable importance in the economy of many coastal communities.
Significant progress in protecting stocks has been made in recent years through local voluntary initiatives such as the "v-notch" scheme. The suggestion has been made that these measures should be reinforced by the introduction of a requirement that persons fishing for lobster need a specific licence permitting them to do so. My Department is reviewing the question of a lobster licensing regime as part of developing an overall strategy for the future management and development of inshore fisheries.
