Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason fishermen with vessels shorter than 30 m in length are subjected to stringent measures in respect of gill net licensing in view of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority's restriction on fishing for cod, haddock and whiting in International Council for the Exploration of the Sea VI, pursuant to Council Regulation EC43/2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27622/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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At the 2008 December Fisheries Council, restrictions on whitefish fishing in the west of Area VI (waters west of Donegal and off Scotland) were introduced for the first time under Council Regulation No. 43/2009. These restrictions included establishing minimum mesh sizes to be used by vessels fishing in the west of area VIa and requiring that these vessels' fishing gear incorporate square mesh panels in certain circumstances. It also includes a ban on the use of certain fishing gears, including gill nets.

In addition, EU Fisheries Councils in November 2008 adopted a new Cod Recovery Plan, as set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1342/2008. Under these Regulations, Ireland and other Member States were required to introduce and implement a licensing regime to manage limits on the number of days their vessels can fish in areas VIa (north west of Ireland) and VIIa (the Irish Sea) using specified gear types. This regime only applies to vessels greater than 10 metres in length.

At the time in later 2008, the original proposals from the EU Commission called for the complete closure of all whitefish fisheries in the waters off Donegal, given scientific advice that cod, whiting and haddock stocks in these waters were in a serious state of decline. Following intensive negotiations, concessions were agreed that permitted the use of certain gears. These restrictions are set down in EU Regulation 1288 /2009 establishing transitional technical measures from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2011.

During 2009, Ireland sought a number of practical changes Ireland to the technical measures that would help alleviate their impacts on the Irish fleet. The changes sought were based on discussions held with fishing industry representatives. However, as gill nets are considered appropriate gear for the targeting of cod and haddock, it was considered unlikely that the EU Commission would permit this type of fishing gear in the specified area.

Minister of State Connick is continuing to work to deliver critical changes to the restrictions on the basis of a commitment from the EU Commission secured at the December 2008 Fisheries Council for a review and early amendment of the restrictions on whitefish fishing off Donegal.