Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the rules governing fishing for mussels at a location (details supplied) in County Dublin; the activity that has taken place on these grounds over the past three months with regard to the fishing for mussels or seed mussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand from the National Parks and Wildlife Service that mussel seed was recently harvested by hand by a group of people in the area of a gravel bank that reaches west from Shenick's Island, off the coast of Skerries, County Dublin. Shenick's Island is part of the Skerries Islands Special Protection Area (SPA).

In accordance with Determination No. 16 of the Need for an Authorisation for Certain Fish Stocks, a vessel fishing for mussel seed requires an authorisation from my Department under section 13 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. An authorisation is also required to retain mussel seed on board a vessel, to trans-ship mussel seed from a vessel or to land mussels from a vessel. In addition, the Mussel Seed (Fishing) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 311 of 2006) specify certain requirements for vessels engaged in mussel seed fishing. The enforcement of this sea-fisheries legislation is a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is independent in the performance of its functions.

In relation to fishing activities which have the potential to impact upon Natura 2000 sites, such as Skerries Islands Special Protection Area, the European Communities (Natural habitats and birds) (Sea-fisheries) Regulations 2009 provide for a Fisheries Natura Plan to manage and control the activity where required, the Appropriate Assessment of such a Plan and include a process of public and statutory consultation. Officials from my Department are currently examining this aspect in co-operation with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to the activity taking place in Skerries.