Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the basis on which licences ceased to be issued in 2008 for eel fishing on lakes here; if any compensation was paid to those involved; and his plans to change the current position. [25567/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The 2007 EU Eel regulation (1100/2007), drafted in response to the endangered status of the European Eel, required EU States, including Ireland, to develop an Eel Management Plan.

Based on the scientific facts available, a recommendation of this plan was that Ireland close both the commercial and recreational eel fisheries in 2008. Bye-laws, Conservation of Eel Fishing Bye-law No. C.S. 303, 2009 and Conservation of Eel Fishing (Prohibition On Issue Of Licences) Bye-law No. 858, 2009, were signed by the then Minister in 2009 prohibiting the capture of eels. There was no provision for compensation for those who previously engaged in this fishery on a commercial basis.

The then Central and Regional Fisheries Boards (now Inland Fisheries Ireland – IFI) engaged with the eel fishermen representatives to investigate possible diversification schemes; however, no specific funding was identified for diversification. I understand that a number of former eel fishermen have been contracted by the ESB to undertake Trap and Transport operations to mitigate the impact of hydropower schemes as part of the eel management plan.

In June, the status of eel in Ireland, and across Europe, will be reviewed as part of the reporting requirement for the 2007 EU regulation. This will include a review of the status of the eel stocks nationally and the potential for commercial fishing in the future. Also a public consultation process is due to commence in the coming weeks.

The report will clarify and update the situation for eel fishery in Ireland and it will inform any decision to open the fishery or to keep it closed. In line with the conservation imperative, no eel fishing will be permitted in the interim.

The status of the European Eel in Ireland was recently defined as critically endangered (Ireland Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish Red Data List, published in 2011). Scientific analysis estimated that 2007 Eel escapement (adults going to sea) was at 23% of pristine stock and declining. Due to the very long cycle and slow growth in Irish waters it is probable that any recovery of the Irish eel stocks will be over a very long time frame.