Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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508. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work that is under way in reviewing Ireland's eel management plan; the timeframe and the nature of the engagement that will be undertaken with stakeholders; if he will provide details as to the way the stocks will be monitored scientifically, and by whom; if he will undertake to look at a special hardship fund or initiative, perhaps in conjunction with another Government Department, to assist those who have lost their livelihoods and have no means of earning income, as a result of the ban on eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19296/15]

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 EU Eel regulation 1100/2007. Under the Regulation Member States must report to the European Commission on the measures adopted in their EMP’s. Ireland’s first report was submitted in June 2012 and the next reporting date is 30 June next. A Standing Scientific Committee for Eel (SSCE) was established under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. The SSCE comprises scientists from the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Loughs Agency, the Agriculture, Food and Biosciences Institute for Northern Ireland (AFBINI) the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and the Marine Institute (MI). The advice from the SSCE is independent of the parent agencies.

Documents relating to the latest review of the EMP measures, including monitoring of stocks, have been made available on the IFI website, , to coincide with the opening of the public consultation process which was advertised and commenced yesterday (Monday 18 May). These documents are:

- SSCE activity report;

- IFI’s three year monitoring report -2012 to 2014; and

- Ireland’s Eel Regulation Report to the EU 2015.

The documents are intended to stimulate an exchange of views within the public consultation for the 2015 review which will be a comprehensive process during which it is expected that a range of issues will be raised and considered.

Every stakeholder and interested party now has the opportunity to make their views known in writing before the closing date for the receipt of submissions on 17 June 2015. Full details of the outputs of the public consultation will be made available when this process concludes.

The latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) in 2014 states that “The status of eel remains critical. ICES also 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 the status of the European Eel remains defined by the United Nations as critically endangered.

While I recognise fully the difficulty facing eel fishermen, there is no property right attaching to public eel licences. The current review advances an opportunity for further consultation with, and submissions from, stakeholders.