Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

443. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if coastal waters which have SAC designation such as those found on offshore islands in instances in which fishing quota has been allocated to an area or to specific persons as is being proposed under the Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill 2017 would have the effect of negating, within such designated waters only, newly acquired fishing rights as provided for under the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8408/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I presume the Deputy is referring to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated under the Habitats Directive.  The National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is responsible for the designation of conservation sites in Ireland including SACs. Special areas of conservation have been designated, in keeping with Ireland's obligations in the Habitats Directive, around many parts of Ireland's coastline. 

The Marine Institute has prepared risk assessment reports under article 6 of the Habitats Directive in respect of all sea-fisheries in or adjacent to all marine SAC sites. Where mitigation responses are required to ensure the protection of designated habitats and species, it is necessary for all stakeholders, particularly the sea-fishing industry and its representatives, to contribute to the development of effective mitigation responses.  As the majority of the marine SACs are based around the coast, my Department, together with the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, continues to work closely with the multi-stakeholder Inshore Fisheries Forums and affected stakeholders to develop mitigation responses.  The relevant reports and mitigation responses are available online at www.fishingnet.ie. 

The Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill 2017 proposes to create a system of licences for individual island fishermen to engage in small scale coastal fishing (defined in EU Regulation as fishing by vessels of less than 12m overall length with non-towed gear).  Small scale coastal fishing is a feature of fishing around the coast with landings into the local ports and harbours, and is important from a socio-economic perspective to many coastal communities and not just the offshore islands.  Small scale coastal fishing is a commercial activity for all these fishermen and supports their livelihood.  

Under EU Regulation, every commercial sea-fishing boat needs to have a licence, held by the owner of the boat, and in accordance with the Common Fisheries Policy, every Member State must manage the size and scale (capacity) of its fishing fleet. The system of licences proposed in the Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill 2017 cannot alter these requirements. 

Fishing capacity in Ireland, in the form of gross tonnage and engine power, is a privately owned, tradable asset that, with certain exceptions, may be sold, traded or realised as a financial asset on the tonnage market. To licence a sea-fishing boat, capacity must be provided by the applicant as part of the licensing process. 

It is important to be aware that quotas for fish stocks are available to small scale coastal fishermen who are licensed to fish for quota stocks including whitefish and pelagic stocks.  All smaller vessels  receive half of the catch limit allocation of the large vessels and the important pelagic stocks of mackerel and herring already have set-a-side allocations for inshore  vessels (including small scale coastal fishing vessels).