Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals in regard to the national eel fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23925/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Scientific advice indicates that the eel stock is highly depleted, not only in Ireland but worldwide. Indeed the entire European stock of eel is so seriously depleted that the EU Commission is proposing to introduce a regulation designed to assist in stock recovery. I understand that the life cycle of the eel is such that stock recovery will take several years. The EU regulation, as drafted, will require the preparation of management plans for the recovery of eels in river basin districts as defined under the water framework directive. The Commission proposal also includes emergency measures to be applied, which currently include at least a 50% reduction in exploitation.

The key objective of each management plan will be to allow a minimum of 40% escapement, as would apply in pristine conditions, of adult eel from rivers to the sea to allow for spawning. The plan will set out the mechanisms by which this objective will be achieved and the methods to be employed to monitor their implementation. The Commission has proposed that under the current timescale, plans should be submitted by the end of 2006 and operational, subject to approval in the scientific, technical and economic committee for fisheries, by July 2007.

The methods of application and extent of the prohibition on fishing effort is the subject of on-going debate among member states. In the meantime, the options for implementation of the draft regulation are under consideration by a national working group of officials, even while clarification from the Commission on technical matters is awaited. The fisheries boards will communicate with the industry and keep it informed .