Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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77. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will direct the Marine Institute to undertake a formal stock assessment of sprat, with a view to introducing a total allowable catch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36041/25]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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Will the Minister direct the Marine Institute to undertake a formal stock assessment of sprat, with a view to identifying a total allowable catch, and will he make a statement on the matter?

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. Sprat is a small pelagic schooling fish that occurs inshore. Sprat is a short-lived species and an important prey fish for many marine species, those vital to the ocean food chain, as well as an important source of income for inshore fishermen. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, considers sprat to be a data limited stock, which means that more detailed data is required to form a full understanding of the state of the stock. However, the Marine Institute has been actively involved in work on sprat through research surveys and fisheries catch sampling. From this work, it has data and information on the biology, population dynamics and stock structure of sprat around Ireland. Studies have not to date shown evidence of separate stocks in the Celtic Sea, and the ICES considers sprat in ICES divisions 6 and 7 to be a single stock. Sprat around the Irish coast is known to perform seasonal migrations between winter feeding and summer spawning grounds.

The latest acoustic survey for sprat in the Celtic Sea and the south Irish Sea was conducted by the Marine Institute in October 2024 as part of its annual survey series, ongoing since the early 2000s. The survey results are available on its website. This survey shows no evidence of sprat moving northwards and no collapse in the abundance of the species over the scale of the surveyed area. At this time, there is no proposal from the European Commission for a total allowable catch, TAC, and quota management arrangement for fodder fish such as sprat in the waters around Ireland. Ireland will, of course, have regard for a possible TAC and quota regime or other appropriate conservation measures going forward if recommended in the scientific advice to support the sustainable management of these stocks.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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I thank the Minister of State. Sprat is not economically important. It is quite a low-value fishery but it is ecologically valuable. Everything feeds on it, from fish, whales and dolphins to seabirds. If we do not have sprat, we do not have those other species. Unfortunately, we are in a situation where, because it has not been deemed economically valuable enough, we do not have stock assessments. There has not been a TAC conducted on sprat. That is now causing huge problems because we do not have sufficient data to manage this important species. While I know the Marine Institute has been doing some analysis, it is not sufficient. This is a short-lived species, living for only four years. If there is major overfishing, which it is indicated is happening in some areas, that stock will collapse in the areas in question. It is really important that we have the data available so we can make decisions, not just fisheries decisions but ecological and environmental decisions.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the Deputy's knowledge and experience in this area, and I take that on board. She is right to identify sprat as an important feeder stock for mammals, birds and other fish species in those areas she has identified. I will continue to engage with the Marine Institute with regard to the information it has and data it is capturing as part of its overall assessment of stocks in the region generally. The Deputy will be familiar with an effort made by a previous Government to look at the capture of sprat in a manner that is not so much based on the reduction in or concerns about the stock volumes, but more to try to support the inshore fishing sector. For that sector, with its smaller operations, sprat provides an economic dividend for their livelihoods. It is important to coastal communities. I know there will be a further question on this matter later. Time permitting, I will address the current position in a more holistic way.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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I ask the Minister of State to provide some information on the point that process has reached. I am interested in hearing when a decision will be made. The reality is that, in the absence of data, the fundamental approach to take with any stock is the precautionary principle. That essentially means working on a risk-averse basis. We are not doing that at the moment, and it is important we do. Depending on the outcome of the Minister of State's consultation and decision, I am very concerned that even with that decision in place, we do not know enough about this stock to ensure sustainable fishing of it. Would he consider a moratorium on the entire stock on a short-term basis until we have the data and evidence to show we can protect the species for future fishing, and not just from an ecological perspective? If sprat are not there, other pelagic fish will not be available either.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The overall catch of stock has grown significantly in recent years. That indicates that there is not a major threat in the short term to the supply of sprat. However, it is my view that to continue to fish at those levels would certainly lead to a significant negative impact. I will get into the process that is under way a little later. I have to be mindful, in whatever decision is ultimately taken, that it is a proportionate response to the threat and risk to the stock and to the economic viability of the inshore fishing sector. We must take all of that into account when a decision is being made. I am hopeful we will not just have reviewed the upwards of 5,500 submissions that have been made in the latest consultation period. I have also sought from the Marine Institute the latest scientific information available and general economic data to assist me in making a decision about how we move forward in the next phase.