Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
112. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline what role Inland Fisheries Ireland plays regarding the by-catch in relation to bass, sea trout, salmon, kelts and salmon smolts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18012/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the statutory authority tasked under section 7(1) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 with responsibility for the protection, management, and conservation of the inland fisheries and sea angling resources. No by-catch is permitted for salmonids (sea trout, salmon, kelts and salmon smolts) inside IFI's jurisdiction within 12 nautical miles of the shore. If IFI encounter a commercial boat or other craft with salmonids on board (with the exception of an angling boat where angling regulations apply - a licensed snap net or draft net), action is taken and legal proceedings are initiated. IFI carry out routine inspections of boats as required.
In relation to bass, there is a complete prohibition on commercial fishing by Irish fishing vessels in place since 1990, along with restrictions on recreational fisheries. There is a ban on commercial fishing applicable to all European Union vessels operating in International Council for the Exploration for the Sea (ICES) areas 7a, b, c, g, j and k. These areas encompass the Irish sea and the waters off Ireland's west, south and south-west coasts. The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) are the primary enforcement authority for seabass. IFI is the secondary authority for enforcement and a number of IFI staff are authorised to function as Sea Fisheries Protection Officers under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, in order to enforce the statutory provisions for the control of fisheries for bass. If bass are detected on board any boat (with the exception of an angling boat where bass angling regulations apply), enforcement action is taken.
