Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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685. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 11 June 2015, the consultation to date regarding the need for investment in eel farming due to the decline in eel stocks which is causing great distress to fishermen. [36178/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has recently concluded a public consultation process on Ireland's Eel Management Plan as part of the 2015 review, under EU Council Regulation 1100/2007. This consultation process afforded all stakeholders the opportunity to make written submissions on all aspects of eel fishing in Ireland. This process includes a review of the status of the eel stocks nationally and the potential for any commercial fishery in the future. IFI has recently presented my Department with a copy of this report along with their management advice.

The latest restocking advice from ICES (2014) states that ‘Internationally coordinated research is required to determine the net benefit of restocking on the overall population, including carrying capacity estimates of glass eel source estuaries as well as detailed mortality estimates at each step of the stocking process.’ ICES recommend countries undertake a risk assessment before stocking to ensure that there is a net benefit in moving glass eel or elvers to new catchments as opposed to leaving them where they are (the potential benefits of eel stocking should for instance take cognisance of any mortality rates associated with capture, transport and stocking out of juvenile eel as well as the suitability of recipient waters in terms of water quality, and existence of eel fisheries or hydroelectric facilities).

Due to the long-lived life history of eels it should be noted that it would take approximately 10-12 years for male and 16-18 years for female stocked eel to contribute to Irish silver eel escapement levels and the overall 40% long-term escapement target required by the EU Eel Regulation.

All aspects of this report are being carefully considered in my Department as it will clarify and update the situation for eel fishing in Ireland. This report will inform any decision as regards the future management options for the eel fisheries. Full details of the outputs of the public consultation will be published on Inland Fisheries Ireland’s website shortly.

The issue of aquaculture policy is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.