Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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226. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of growing evidence which confirms no decrease in the number of eels, when he will rescind the eel fishing ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22859/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (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 Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under 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; and

- 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).

Ireland's EMP was reviewed in 2012 including a comprehensive scientific assessment of eel stocks nationally and the review included a robust public consultation process. A similar public consultation process is currently underway as part of the 2015 review and stakeholders have the opportunity to make written submissions up to the closing date of 17 June. To assist the consultation process a number of documents have been made publically available:

- The activity report of the statutorily independent Standing Scientific Committee on Eels;

- 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 during which it is expected that a range of issues will be raised and considered.

I intend to make the full details of the outputs of the public consultation available when this process concludes. Similar reviews are being carried out across EU Member States as the eel stock has radically declined throughout Europe.