Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends publishing a policy on the development of the inshore fishing industry for coastal and island communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am conscious of the economic potential of the inshore fisheries sector to grow and make an increased contribution to employment and economic growth in peripheral coastal and island communities. Already, many shellfish species make a valuable contribution to our exports, either through direct export or as essential raw material for added-value seafood products. Sustainably managed, there is much potential to grow landings in these fisheries.

However, in light of the judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against Ireland concerning non-compliance with the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, my overriding policy priority for the inshore sector must be to bring all inshore fisheries, and aquaculture, in Natura 2000 sites into full compliance with those Directives. Any wider policy initiatives for the inshore sector must take account of this policy priority and the associated legal constraints these Directives and the ECJ judgement impose in terms of putting in place new licensing or management arrangements for inshore stocks within or adjacent to Natura 2000 sites, in advance of the completion of the necessary environmental assessments under article 6 of the Habitats Directive.

My Department continues to work closely with BIM, the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and other stakeholders to manage inshore fisheries generally and measures are implemented within the constraints of the ECJ judgement to protect the stock.

Much of our coastline is affected by the designation of many bays and estuaries as Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directive or Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive, collectively known as Natura 2000 sites. Article 6 of the Habitats Directive applies to all such sites and serves to prevent the introduction of plans or policies for fisheries in those sites which would involve licensing of fishermen or certain other planned management arrangements for those sites, unless an environmental assessment under that Directive has first been conducted and has discounted any significant impact on the protected habitat or species. The completion of Habitats Directive assessments for the in excess of 90 sites around our coastline is a significant undertaking that must be conducted in a systematic manner, informed by detailed scientific surveys and impact assessments on a site by site basis.

My Department has been engaged in a major multi annual project to deliver full compliance with the Directives for all marine Natura 2000 sites and is working closely with its agencies and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on this task. A substantial body of scientific data and analysis has been generated over the past number of years to inform the assessments. The project is now focused on the roll-out of the bay by bay environmental assessments required under the Directives and implementation of any consequent management measures arising.

Three comprehensive assessments have been completed, in respect of Castlemaine Harbour County Kerry, Dundalk Bay County Louth and Roaring Water Bay County Cork. Work is at an advanced stage in respect of Lough Swilly County Donegal and Clew Bay County Mayo, among others, and this process will continue throughout 2012 and into next year in respect of these and other sites.