Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which areas (details supplied) are protected regarding those parts of Dundalk Bay deemed as a special area of conservation and a special protection area for birds; the measures he intends to take to help conserve cockles at Dundalk Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13649/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Overall responsibility for special areas of conservation, SACs, and special protection areas, SPAs, rests with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Concerning the cockle fishery, the launch of the management framework for shellfisheries in Ireland in 2005 recognised that work was needed to improve the management of this type of fishery. Under this framework, BIM has worked closely with the local stakeholders in areas such as Dundalk Bay to develop local representative structures for this purpose.

The successful completion of this process in Dundalk Bay has resulted in the formation of the Dundalk Cockle Local Advisory Committee, LAC. This LAC first met on 15 February 2006. The stakeholders are all agreed that management measures are required. The LAC met again on 29 March to consider the available scientific information available, plan stock surveys for the coming year and discuss possible management measures. BIM will be continuing to work with the LAC over the coming months to develop a concrete management plan that is consistent with the areas designated as an SAC and SPA.