Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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441. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made by the Marine Institute on adding sprat to the species covered under the European maritime and fisheries fund marine biodiversity scheme in 2017; when he expects to definitively resolve the issue of pair trawling this species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40644/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Sprat is a short-lived species and an important prey fish for many marine species thus vital to the ocean food chain.

Sprat in Irish waters is not a species subject to fishing quotas or Total Allowable Catches established under EU regulation. Scientifically, very little is known about the sprat species. The International Council of the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) considers sprat to be a data limited stock which means that more detailed data is required in order to form a full understanding of the state of the stock. In order to address the lack of accurate information in respect of the sprat stocks in the waters around Ireland, a three year research project, partially funded by industry, commenced in October 2014 and is now in its final stage, under the auspices of the Marine Institute in cooperation with the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

In addition to this research project, the Marine Institute advise that they will also participate in an observer scheme where they will work closely with Industry to obtain increased observer coverage on any sprat fishery that is taking place. The purpose of the observer scheme is twofold:

- To obtain biological information on the resource itself and on any other fishery bycatch, ie herring, juvenile mackerel, etc.

- To obtain information on any bycatch this fishery might have of protected, endangered and threatened species, under the European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF) marine biodiversity scheme such as marine mammals, seabirds and listed fish species.  

This enhanced observer scheme will be co-funded under the EMFF data collection scheme and the EMFF marine biodiversity scheme allowing for more intensive data collection to enhance scientific knowledge and support any future management actions necessary for the stock including the issue of pair trawling.