Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Fishing Industry Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014

Thursday, 6 March 2014

Ceisteanna (196)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

196. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to develop a lobster hatchery in Ireland to supplement the provision of wild lobsters and to assist in the development of lobster fishing here; the details of any examination carried out by his Department or any agency working under the aegis of his Department regarding best practice in relation to this matter internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11394/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Late last year my Department engaged in a lengthy period of consultation with lobster and shrimp fishermen on the need for additional conservation measures to ensure the sustainability of the lobster and shrimp fisheries. A report on the consultation is currently being finalised. Over 200 submissions were received which raised many important issues, including what fishermen themselves see as key to securing a sustainable future for the lobster stocks. I am advised that three of the submissions received recommended lobster hatcheries to support the fishery. By contrast, fishermen identified a range of alternatives which received much higher levels of support.

Natural recruitment, whereby wild populations are afforded the opportunity to sustain themselves, is the most cost-effective method of stock management in fisheries. The current v-notching scheme operated by BIM and supported by regulations prohibiting the landing of v-notched lobsters is designed to contribute to natural recruitment. In other countries, hatcheries have been introduced in areas where natural recruitment has collapsed and recovery is unlikely without intervention. I am advised by BIM and the Marine Institute that, based on the current status of the Irish lobster stocks, management of existing fishing practices in the first instance is considered the most effective means of improving stock levels. In that regard I look forward to receiving the consultation report and recommendations for future improvements in the management of this fishery.

Funding for direct stocking measures such as hatcheries is not available under the current European Fisheries Fund and it is likely that restrictions will continue to apply under the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund regulation to be finalised this year.

I am favourably disposed to exploring all measures which support stock sustainability. In this context I requested Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and the Marine Institute for their views on the development of lobster hatcheries. Both BIM and the Marine Institute have raised concerns regarding the efficacy of hatcheries including high operating costs and difficulties in attracting investment on a commercial basis.

It is therefore clear that, in addition to management of the fishery itself, further careful consideration needs to be given to the potential for lobster hatcheries to supplement wild stocks and I have requested my officials to include recommendations in relation to lobster hatcheries in the report that is currently being prepared for me.

Barr
Roinn