Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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491. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the potential impact the proposed ban on recreational angling for bass fishing for the first six months of 2018 and only catch-and-release fishing for the following six months will have on local tourism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50305/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I also share the concern of your constituent with regards to the current proposal for sea bass from the European Commission as part of the Fishing Oppurtunites Proposal for 2018. Ireland has been to the forefront in protecting the vulnerable Sea bass stock for many years with a complete prohibition on commercial fishing in place since 1990.

Our recreational sector, the policy responsibility for which lies with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE), is very important to us from a tourism point of view.  Recreational sea bass angling is carefully managed and monitored by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the angling community themselves. Ireland is of the view the proposal to prohibit any recreational fishing for sea bass is a step in the wrong direction and would result in loss of valuable data that is gathered under the catch and release arrangements that is needed to support protection and rebuilding of this stock.

We have already communicated our opposition to this aspect to the Commission proposal on sea bass and will, in consultation with DCCAE, IFI and the Marine Institute, continue to make this case strenuously.