Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the impact on fishermen in some coastal communities of the directive to increase the size of a lobster allowed to be caught from 87mm to 90mm in length; the consultation that took place in advance; and his views on whether the conservation practices of fishermen are the same along the coast. [47258/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Presently, there are two legal restrictions which provide protection to the lobster stock, namely a minimum landing size of 87mm and a prohibition on fishing v-notched lobsters, all of which are over 87mm. The minimum landing size provides some protection to juvenile lobster, allowing some spawning to occur before lobsters enter the fishery. The v-notch regulation prohibits the landing of v-notched lobsters until the notch is repaired by growth (usually occurs over 2-4 years) thus allowing such lobsters to contribute to spawning. V-notching is a voluntary conservation measure and v-notching rates vary around the coast.

Recent stock assessments, and evaluation of the existing conservation measures, indicated that spawning stock is not adequately protected and recruitment to lobster stocks may be impaired. Having examined the issue with my Department’s scientific and technical advisers from the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the SFPA, I initiated a consultation process on 20 August 2013 on proposals to change the current lobster stock management rules. I proposed two alternative measures; either to introduce a maximum landing size of 127mm or to increase the minimum landing size from 87mm to 90mm. The consultation documents I published set out in some detail the pros and cons of each option. Both options assumed the continuation of v-notching at present rates and further measures would be required in the absence of v-notching. The deadline for submissions was 25 October 2013 and I am now reviewing the in excess of 200 submissions received. I am encouraged by the high level of response received to the consultation from right around the coast.