Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 836: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the proposal, being examined by his Department, to change existing legislation to allow sea bass to be fished commercially off the coast here; if a decision on this matter is imminent; if he has received a request for a meeting to discuss the matter from a group (details supplied); if so, his plans to meet this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14805/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has made a proposal to my Department concerning a limited Sea Bass fishery in the Celtic Sea. In order to give the fullest consideration to this proposal, advice has been sought and received from both the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In coming to a determination on what is a very complex matter, I am very conscious of the need to maintain the current level of protection afforded to the inshore Sea Bass fishery. This factor is also recognised by the FIF which gives an assurance in its proposal, that the inshore Sea Bass fishery around our coast will not be the target of commercial fishing. The FIF has specifically proposed that vessels would be permitted to land only Sea Bass caught south of (51.30'N) in area VII, which is an area approximately 50 KM off the SE coast of Ireland.

In addition to the advice received above, a decision on the matter will take account of the views of all stakeholders, including anglers. Minister Killeen wrote to Minister Lenihan in the Department of Energy, Communications and Natural Resources, who has responsibility for inland fisheries, seeking his views on this proposal and Minister Lenihan has provided those observations. I am currently considering the proposal together with the advice, observations and submissions made to date, in order to determine whether sufficient information is available in order to reach a determination on the matter. I can confirm that Minister Connick has received a request for a meeting on the issue from the group listed and he will be prepared to meet the group if he considers that such a meeting will assist in his consideration of the issues involved.