Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Our fishers and our fishing communities are going through a tough and stressful time as outlined by the Minister in his opening statement and other Deputies. Despite the Brexit deal, there are still many uncertainties. We still do not know exactly the quotas and the total allowable catch that will be shared among the sector or what sustainability criteria will be applied to it. We cannot guarantee the scientific advice on sustainable fishing will be applied to UK waters. There is an indication that the UK is preparing to invest heavily in refitting its fishing fleet while weaker protections for the sustainability of its fish stock have been introduced. These are all very worrying when we share neighbouring waters.

At EU level there are legal commitments to have ended overfishing by last year but this has not been achieved. We are committed to the EU biodiversity strategy target and our programme for Government commitment to designate 30% of our marine area as marine protected areas. That process is starting. A marine protected area does not mean one cannot do anything in it or neutralise it. It just means that it is managed in a way that conserves the area and protects it.

Through our marine planning and development management Bill, we will be addressing how the ambitious and challenging development of large-scale offshore renewable energy will be managed. This process needs to work closely with our fishers, especially in the Irish Sea which will be the first place this work is carried out. The offshore renewable industry will create many jobs and bring economic benefit to our coastal communities. Ports like Wicklow and Arklow in my constituency are ideal bases to serve the supply chain for the offshore industry. There are opportunities for those in the fishing industry with such good local knowledge and experience to benefit, to become part of that supply chain, to change skills and to work in that industry. It is an area that we need to look at with those in the fishing industry.

It is also important there is good co-ordinated co-operation between the fishing community and the offshore developers when surveys or works may temporarily prevent fishing within those areas where those works are going on. Protecting and preserving our marine environment is the most important measure we can take to assist our fishing communities.

Our marine environment is under serious and continuous threat, as well as being damaged. Marine biodiversity is in as much trouble as our terrestrial biodiversity. I asked environmental NGOs recently at a joint Oireachtas environment committee meeting what the biggest negative impact on our marine environment has been. Their answer was clear - fishing.

Will the Minister urgently engage across all sectors of government to ensure that the establishment of the marine protected areas, marine environmental protection and the conservation of marine species are carried out with the highest level of scientific expertise? Will he ensure we take that advice and work in close consultation with all those stakeholders involved, particularly the fishing community, as well as environmental and community representatives? Will he assist fishing representatives to engage with the offshore renewable energy industry to ensure good co-operation, benefit and understanding of the development that will take place over the next few years and the opportunities that this development will present?

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