Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 14 December 2023, the status of plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated within the six-nautical-mile zone; the total amount of sprat caught in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8217/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 14th December 2023, I can advise that I have launched a Public Consultation regarding trawling activity within the six nautical mile zone and the baselines.
Five years ago, in December 2018, a transition to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, was announced following a previous public consultation. A significant part of the objective of this measure was to manage the fishing effort on sprat stocks which are primarily targeted within inshore waters. This ban had a strong support base but was overturned following legal challenge. In view of changes in activity and issues concerning the marine space since then, I think it is important that this issue is reviewed and reflected on in an open, inclusive process. The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has advised that a provisional figure of 3,403 tonnes of sprat was landed into Ireland in 2023.
To inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone, I launched a public consultation on February 13th which will last for 8 weeks. This consultation will close at 1pm on April 12th.
To inform the consultation, up-to-date scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara on trawling in the waters inside the six nautical miles has been published along with a consultation paper which sets out potential options and provides information on issues to consider
I am conscious of the dependence of our inshore fleet, compared to larger vessels, on fishing resources within the six nautical mile zone. Other issues that need to be reflected on include balancing the management of our fisheries with the needs of the marine ecosystem but also the changes that have come with Brexit, the Energy Crisis and the Climate Crisis. The policy context is greatly changed from 2018. I encourage all interested parties to read the consultation documents and to reflect on those in making any submissions.
