Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

The issue I want to raise relates to lobster fishing, which essentially is a licensed fishing activity. In County Donegal, I understand there are between 250 and 300 licensed boats associated with lobster fishing. It is a commercial activity undertaken as such by fishermen. It adds to their livelihood and essentially is an activity that has been undertaken through the generations.

The reason I am raising it relates to the fact that many of fishermen in the commercial sector who are licensed — obviously there is a cost associated with licensing and the upkeep of vessels — have expressed concerns to me that many holiday home-owners in County Donegal partake in recreational lobster fishing. The term, "recreational lobster fishing", does not require a licence, so this is unlicensed activity, according to the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. I was liaising for a number of months with the previous Minister of State, Deputy Terry Killeen, and also with the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency about this issue. While the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency implements the current legislation, it is unable to enforce any restrictions on the number of pots that may be fished by recreational fishermen. Such restrictions, I understand, are in place in other EU member states.

I am not calling for an outright ban on recreational fishing in respect of lobsters, but I am calling on the Department to, perhaps, introduce some form of restriction which would not allow the ongoing situation where the commercial sector is being penalised as a result of the unlicensed sector being able to fish under the clause of recreational fishing, and making quite large landings as well. There are issues to be addressed. It is a cause of concern to the commercial sector. As I have indicated, the commercial sector has invested large amounts of money in the upgrading of vessels and applications for licences on an annual basis. The Department should seek to alleviate its concerns by addressing the issue. I hope the Minister of State might take those concerns on board.