Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he intends to re-sign the Bass by-laws; and the restrictions he will be placing on them. [20772/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Bass (Conservation of Stocks) Order, in place since 1990, prohibits the commercial fishing of sea bass by Irish sea fishing boats. The domestic conservation measures for sea bass are kept under review on an annual basis, in light of scientific assessments by the Central Fisheries Board and the Marine Institute of the state of sea bass stocks as well as assessments of the impact of commercial fishing effort on sea bass stocks by other Member States.

Last year, having reviewed the scientific assessments relating to sea bass, the Bass (Restriction on Sale) Order was renewed for a further year. The effect of this Order is to prohibit the sale or offer for sale of bass (other than bass which has been imported into the State) from 1st day of July, 2005 to 30th day of June, 2006. The Bass Fishing Conservation Bye Law which imposes a bag limit on anglers of two bass in any one period of twenty four hours and provides for a ban on angling for bass during the spawning season was also renewed last year.

I am awaiting updated scientific advice on the current state of the Bass stock and I will make a decision on the matter before the expiry of the current provisions.