Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, Atlantic bluefin tuna is a highly regulated species, with annual catch limits set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, ICCAT, based on scientific advice. Within the European Union, quota shares were allocated in 1998 to member states on the basis of track record. Ireland which did not have a track record of fishing for bluefin tuna does not have a quota.

The unequivocal advice from the European Commission is that a recreational fishery for bluefin tuna is not legally possible in the absence of a national bluefin tuna quota. We do not have such a quota and it is extremely unlikely that we could obtain one, as it would involve reducing the share of the total allowable catch of those EU member states that do have quotas and for which bluefin tuna is an important commercial fishery.

Ireland does have access to a small bluefin by-catch quota as part of the albacore tuna fishery. This by-catch quota is also available to other member states and cannot be used for recreational and-or sport fisheries, even in the context of catch and release, since it does not allow the targeting of bluefin tuna. There is a possibility of Ireland participating in an ICCAT scientific research programme on bluefin tuna that would require the use of experienced vessel operators. My Department is investigating the possibility of Ireland participating in this scientific tag and release programme. In this regard, the Marine Institute and BIM have undertaken to examine the parameters for a research proposal to engage in the ICCAT Atlantic-wide research programme for bluefin tuna. This process is in its very early stages and, once completed, the proposal will have to be submitted for approval to the European Commission in the first instance, before seeking sanction from the ICCAT. We are examining whether we can consider a catch and release programme under the auspices of a research project around the sale of the stock. Without a quota, we are really limited in what we can do, which I know is frustrating, given the fact that they are off the north-west coast.

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