John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources further to the recent announcement that consultants are to be appointed to examine ways of resolving a dispute over the lowering of a weir on the river Blackwater which anglers say is necessary to allow salmon stocks to regenerate, but which a local rowing club fears will lead to its demise, the price that will be paid for said consultants; if he sought a way for his Department to mediate regarding this dispute; the amount the report he commissioned, which recommended lowering the weir by a metre, cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39856/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I recently exercised my powers under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 to issue a notice to Fermoy Town Council to carry out the alterations necessary to the Fermoy Weir in order to allow for the free passage of fish. I did this in the interests of conserving and protecting the wild salmon resource and in order to avoid the initiation of infringement proceedings by the EU Commission under the Habitats Directive.

My decision was informed by a report and recommendations following examination, as part of the process, by the Department's Engineering Division. In summary, the report recommended that approximately 80 metres of that part of the Fermoy Weir upstream from the town bridge be lowered to the maximum extent consistent with retaining sufficient depth for rowing activities and that a rock ramp fish pass be installed in the lower weir to enable the free passage of all migratory species.

I recently met with representatives from Fermoy Town Council and Fermoy Rowing Club to discuss this matter. At the meeting it was agreed that Fermoy Town Council would engage consultants to examine and advise them on this matter. As Fermoy Town Council is the owner of the weir, the cost of any consultancy and subsequent works associated with the weir will have to be borne by it. The Department's engineering experts will be available to the Town Council if needed for the appointment of consultants and to meet the consultants as part of their deliberations.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of the legislation which governs the illegal gathering of shrimp in Irish waters; and the person who is responsible for the enforcement of such legislation. [39857/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Statutory Instrument No 235 of 2006, namely the Shrimp (Fisheries Management and Conservation) Regulations 2006, governs the fishing of shrimp.

This Statutory Instrument prohibits the fishing for shrimp between the 1st of May and the 1st of August each year. This prohibition of commercial fishing of shrimp during the period specified is a conservation measure intended to protect the stocks of Palaemon spp. shrimp so that they may be exploited on a sustainable basis.

As with other National and EU fisheries conservation legislation, the Seafood Control Division of the Department, in conjunction with the Naval Service are responsible for the enforcement of this legislation.

After the 1st of January 2007 the new Sea Fisheries Protection Authority will be vested with the responsibility for the enforcement of Sea Fisheries Law.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures his Department will take in order to encourage sustainable fisheries here in view of recent reports regarding dwindling global fish stocks; and his views on the introduction of a fisheries certification scheme, which would identify fisheries which operate in a sustainable manner. [39858/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of a number of scientific reports on the state of fish stocks, one of which in particular made a number of worrying points in relation to dwindling fish stocks worldwide.

Fish stocks in the waters around Ireland are exploited under the umbrella of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. A fundamental principal underpinning this Policy is to manage the exploitation of the stocks in a way that protects their long-term viability.

We know the issues in the waters around Ireland and we are working to address them at national, EU and international levels. We are working hard to strengthen conservation and promote sustainability and have introduced a number of measures over the past few years to address this issue. For example, the EU designated a Biologically Sensitive Area off our south coast in 2003 in recognition of the importance of this area for juvenile fish and for spawning. A recovery plan for hake, near collapse in 2000, was also introduced and the stock has rebuilt.

We must improve our knowledge base and also work towards effective enforcement of controls at national, EU and international level. Irish scientists, industry and managers are working together for example on a suite of new projects that will improve the assessment and advice for key stocks:

Anglerfish off the West of Ireland (surveys on fishing vessels)

Cod in the Celtic Sea (closed boxes introduced to help stock recover)

Irish Sea Cod Recovery Box.

Our common goal is to have a sustainable fishing industry with sustainable fish stocks, operating in a sustainable ocean. This must be done in partnership with stakeholders at EU and international level.

You will be aware that I have appointed a Strategic Review Group that will, inter alia, consider and make recommendations on new marketing initiatives for the Irish seafood sector. A certification scheme such as the Deputy has proposed is one option worthy of consideration in this context.