Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 836 of 20 April 2010, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that latitude 51.30N in area VII intersects the Irish coast just west of County Cork, meaning that for part of the Irish coast line any fishing activity for bass, even if confined to south of this line, will actually take place right up to shore; the way he will reconcile this geographical fact with the Federation of Irish Fishermen assurance that the inshore sea bass fishery around our coast will not be the target of commercial fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17409/10]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give assurances that inshore bass stocks will not be permitted to be fished commercially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17411/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 254 together.

The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has made a proposal to my Department concerning a limited Sea Bass fishery in the Celtic Sea. In the proposal the FIF have stated that they will take a "precautionary approach to avoid any fishing whatsoever of the Irish inshore stock". 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 and adjacent to the SW coast of Ireland, this area extends 375Km south. The FIF proposal, having regard to the scientific advice that is available on the inshore stock, also provides that all fishing for sea bass should be prohibited inside the Irish 12 mile coastal limit until there is further assessment carried out to determine the state of the stock.

In order to give the fullest consideration to this proposal, I have sought and received scientific advice from the Marine Institute in relation to the proposal by the FIF. In the same vein I have sought and received the advice of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority in relation to proposal, from the perspective of the regulation of such a fishery. In coming to a determination on what is a very complex matter, I am very conscious of the need to maintain the current level 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. In addition to the advice received above, a decision on the matter will take account of the views of all stakeholders, including anglers. My predecessor wrote to the Minister of State in the Department of Energy, Communications and Natural Resources, who has responsibility for inland fisheries, seeking his views on this proposal and the Minister 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.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the extent of illegal fishing of inshore bass stocks; his best estimate of the value of illegal bass fishing for each of the past three years; if his further attention has been drawn to a report by a person (details supplied) into illegal bass fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17410/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Operational aspects in relation to sea fisheries control operations are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy.

I am not aware of a report in recent years into illegal bass fishing prepared by the a manager of the Southern Fisheries Board. The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has made a proposal to my Department concerning a limited Sea Bass fishery in the Celtic Sea in an area south of (51.30'N) in area VII, which is an area approximately 50 KM off the SE coast and adjacent to the SW coast of Ireland. Observations in relation to this proposal were sought from the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, who has responsibility for inland fisheries. The response received included a substantial set of observations from the Central Fisheries Board which did not include or reference the report referred to by the Deputy.