Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she has received applications for a licence to harvest cockles at the Back Strand, Tramore, County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18218/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The present position is that there is no additional licensing requirement in place for the harvesting of cockles in addition to the requirement for a Sea Fishing Boat Licence under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2003. Applications for a Sea Fishing Boat licence are a matter for the independent Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Authority.

In relation to the cockle fishery, at present the Waterford cockle fishery is closed to harvesting until 15th July 2007 under the Cockle (Fisheries Management and Conservation) Regulations 2007 for stock assessment purposes and to allow for the development and introduction of a sustainable management plan.

Fishery representatives are, in consultation with Bord Iascaigh Mhara, bringing forward proposals for the sustainable management of the Waterford cockle fishery. While the plan has not yet been finalised, it is not expected that, at this time, it will require the introduction of a secondary licensing requirement for fishing vessels. I hope to be in a position to introduce the new management regime shortly in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of the cockle fishery in Waterford.