Written answers

Wednesday, 26 April 2006

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

EU Directives

9:00 pm

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if fishing for razor clams close to Portmarnock beach near Baldoyle Bay is permitted by the EU habitats directive of 1992. [15588/06]

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Fishing for razor clams in the area referred to is not prohibited by the habitats directive of 1992, as transposed into Irish law, but is managed as a living aquatic resource under the Common Fisheries Policy. As I have previously advised the House, the harvesting of razor shells is subject to legislative controls and the areas in which such harvesting can take place is classified by ministerial regulations every six months following consideration of the results of an ongoing sampling programme. A system of gatherers' dockets is implemented whereby important information is collected on the fishery in such aspects as the precise location and date of harvesting, the quantities involved and the destination of the harvested razor shells. The staff of the Department's inspectorate carry out periodic inspections of fishing activity to ensure that harvesting activities are undertaken in accordance with the prevailing regulations. As part of the work of the molluscan species advisory group, established under the shellfish management framework and which includes a representative of the razor clam fishermen, a razor clam local advisory committee has been established and held its first meeting earlier this month. The committee will be facilitated by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and will seek to develop a sustainable management framework for the fishery.

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