Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that there are no figures for glass eel or elvers going into the western river basin district, the justification for keeping the western region closed to eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8467/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) operate an elver monitoring programme in a number of locations around the country, including in the Western River Basin District. IFI monitor the trends in the elver run at these locations on an annual basis. The data collected is used in Irelands reporting obligations to the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007. The data is also provided to the Eel Working Group of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC - United Nations) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The data is scientifically analysed and modelled to determine the eel production for Europe as eel stocks in Ireland are a component of a pan European stock.

Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the 2007 EU Eel regulation. The plan outlined the following main management actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement to the sea:

- a cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market,

- mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations,

- ensure upstream migration of juvenile eel at barriers,

- an improvement of water quality.

The overall requirement and objective is to provide, with high probability, a long-term 40% escapement to the sea of the biomass of silver eel, relative to pristine conditions (i.e. if the stock had been completely free of man-made influences including commercial fishing).

The latest advice from ICES in 2014 states that “The status of eel remains critical and ICES advises that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pumping stations, and pollution) affecting production and escapement of silver eels should be reduced to – or kept as close to – zero as possible. The annual recruitment to Europe has increased over the last 3 years from 5% to 12% of historic levels, however recruitment is still well below the reference levels of 1960-1979 and there is no change in the status of the eel as being critically endangered”.

Ireland’s EMP was reviewed in 2012 including a comprehensive scientific assessment of eel stocks nationally. The 2012 review included a robust public consultation during which many issues were raised and considered. Full details of the outputs of the public consultation are available on the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) web site. Similar reviews were carried out across EU Member States as the eel stock has radically declined throughout Europe. The status of the European Eel is defined by the United Nations as critically endangered.

Ireland’s EMP will be reviewed again this year and an opportunity for further consultation with, and submissions from, stakeholders will be advanced at that time.