Under the Voisinage Agreement the mussel seed fishery in Ireland is managed on an all-island basis. On advice from a joint advisory committee, I authorise mussel dredging by Irish Registered Fishing vessels in Irish waters and waters around Northern Ireland for the purpose of ongrowing on aquaculture sites.
The joint advisory committee, comprising representatives from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR), Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland and the Loughs Agency, assesses applications for allocations of Mussel seed and advises the Department and DARD in Northern Ireland accordingly. The advisory committee's recommendations for allocations are based on factors such as the operator's track record and production levels of bottom mussels. Allocations are made in respect of an authorised vessel and specified aquaculture sites. The purpose of dredging for mussel seed in Lough Swilly, or in any other waters, is specifically for relaying the seed to the operators' own licensed aquaculture sites. The proposed allocations are submitted to the Department for my approval prior to the issuing of authorisations to fish for mussel seed.
In line with the requirements of EU regulations, under Irish legislation, measures are in place, which provide for the control of movements of shellfish from bays around the coast. Following the detection of bonamia ostrea in Lough Foyle last year, specific controls were put in place on movements of shellfish from the lough by SI 500 of 2005. In addition, a comprehensive range of guidelines, drawn up by this Department working with the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Northern Ireland, the Marine Institute and the Loughs Agency, has been put in place in respect of shellfish operations in Lough Foyle. A copy of the guidelines was circulated to all operators on the 28th of July 2005 to help prevent the spread of the parasite. Operators have been strongly advised to adhere to these guidelines.
Based on the framework outlined above, applications made to this Department to move shellfish originating in Lough Foyle for ongrowing in areas free of bonamia, would be refused. A movement licence was issued by the Department to move 850 tonnes of mussel seed from Lough Swilly, which is free of bonamia ostrea, to Lough Foyle in February 2006.