Written answers

Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fisheries Protection

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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666. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) with regard to the dogfish quota (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9666/17]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The spawning biomass of Picked Dogfish is at an extremely low level, although conservation measures in recent years have had an impact in terms of stabilising the decline. The species is a long-lived, slow growing and late maturing species and is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to over-fishing. The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) advice is that there should be no targeted fisheries in 2017 and 2018 and that any possible provision for landing of bycatch should only happen as part of a management plan.

While I note the anecdotal reports on increased numbers of Picked Dogfish, the Marine Institute fully supports the ICES advice and has very serious concerns about the state of the stock. Given such robust scientific advice, there does not appear to be a case for the re-opening of a commercial fishery for Picked Dogfish at this time.

The TAC and quota Regulation for 2017 (EU Regulation 127/2017) lists Picked Dogfish as a prohibited species and has a prohibition for EU fishing vessels to fish for, retain on board, to tranship or to land picked dogfish, with the exception of fish caught by a vessel engaged in a by-catch avoidance programme that has been positively assessed by European Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF).

The EU Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Picked Dogfish is  set at 270 tonnes for 2017 with 53 tonnes available to Ireland. This quota is only available under EU law where a by catch avoidance programme, as approved by the STECF, is in place.

  Under an approved avoidance programme, vessels under the programme may land not more than 2 tonnes per month of picked dogfish that is dead at the moment when the fishing gear is hauled on board.

I have now asked the Marine Institute to design a pilot project on such a Picked Dogfish by-catch avoidance programme for consideration by my Department. It will then have to be considered and approved by STECF before a limited number of vessels will be able to participate.  It is intended that this pilot programme  will further increase our knowledge of the stock, aid in its recovery and help ensure its long-term sustainability on the basis of firm scientific evidence.

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