Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a hardship fund for eel fishermen who had to cease eel fishing by order in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10592/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the the EU Eel regulation 1100/2007. 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.

While I recognize fully the difficulty facing eel fishermen, 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.

I understand that a number of former eel fishermen have been contracted by the ESB to catch eel so as to contribute to "Trap and Transport" operations to mitigate the impact of hydropower schemes as part of the EMP.There is no property right attaching to public eel licences and there are no plans to introduce a hardship scheme as outlined by the Deputy.