Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide exemptions to gillnet fishermen with boats of less than 15 meters in length similar to the exemptions that he has provided to trawling fishermen with boats of less than 15 meters in length (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these gillnet fishermen are anxious to come to an accommodation with the Department of Transport; if he will meet with a delegation of these gillnet fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25425/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Council Regulation (EC) No 43/2009 introduced restrictions on fishing for cod, haddock and whiting in ICES zones VIa (off the north west coast) from the 1 February 2009 for vessels over 15 metres and for all other vessels from 1 April 2009. By way of derogation, certain cod avoidance fishing gears are permitted under the EU regulation subject to strict conditions. No such derogation exists in respect of the use of gillnets as the Commission argued that gill nets have the potential to specifically target cod and generate high mortality rates in an area where scientific advice has been received to indicate cod stocks are under severe threat.

My colleague, Minister Tony Killeen, who has particular responsibility for Fisheries, has met with Fisheries Commissioner Borg this week and raised issues in relation to the Cod Recovery Plan in the Irish Sea & in the North West. In particular, Minister Killeen asked for a number of practical changes to the rules that would help alleviate the impacts on the fleet particularly in the North West & in the Irish Sea. These changes included a request that gill net fishing that does not target cod, haddock or whiting in Area VIa should be permitted. Minister Killeen regularly meets fishing industry representatives and fishermen and will continue to do so in the future.

Any issues relating to the Department of Transport responsibilities should be addressed to my colleague Minister Noel Dempsey.