Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the practice of pair trawling in the Shannon Estuary special area of conservation is in compliance with the habitat directives here in view of the fact that the area is a resident site and calving area for bottlenose dolphins and in view of the recorded history of dolphin bycatch with pair trawling. [3673/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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While pair trawling does occur in the lower River Shannon candidate special area of conservation, SAC, I have been advised by the competent authority for the habitats directive, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, that the fishing effort is regarded as low and seasonal in nature with vessels pursuing mainly sprat during late autumn and winter in an outer portion of the SAC.

I understand that the main calving season for bottlenose dolphins in this SAC is in early summer and consequently pair trawling is not considered to present a significant threat in that regard. I have also been advised that while some individuals may appear in the outer reaches of the SAC during the winter, the resident population appears to move into the inner reaches of the SAC during these months, taking them away from the area where pair trawling occurs. I will keep this matter under review, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.