Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the rationale for the ban on eel fishing in 2010; and if the current ban might be removed, in view of its potential to contribute to the local economy. [16276/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Following scientific research conducted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), indicating that the European eel stocks are in a critical state, the EU introduced Council Regulation 1100/2007, the objective of which is to achieve recovery of the stocks to previous high levels. The Regulation required Member States to prepare a national Eel Management Plan for implementation from 1 July 2009 or from the earliest possible time before that date. Ireland's Eel Management Plan was approved by the Commission on 30 July 2009.

The EU target is clearly defined in the Regulation where it states that the objective of each Member State's Eel Management Plan shall be to reduce mortalities so as to permit with high probability the escape to sea of at least 40% of silver eel relative to the best estimate of escape that would have existed if no mortality had impacted the stock.

Ireland's level of escapement was estimated at only 24%. Given the critical status of the eel stock, as demonstrated in the assessment contained in the National Eel Management Plan a number of management measures were identified as necessary to reach the target set in the EC Regulation, including closure of the commercial and recreational eel fishery from 2009. It is also necessary to mitigate the impact of hydropower on escapement, to ensure upstream migration of juvenile eel at barriers and to improve water quality.

The decision to cease the eel fishery was taken, based on the best scientific advice available, as a conservation measure to support a recovery of the stock in the shortest time possible. Under the Regulation, all aspects of the plan must be reviewed in 2012 and reported on to the Commission. This review will consider, inter alia, whether the eel fishery and market could be reopened in any river basin district in light of the data gathered in the interim and the performance of the stocks.