Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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1069. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation document which is under preparation regarding inshore waters is likely to be published and put on public display; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15456/18]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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1070. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans to take to protect the inshore boats which operate within the six nautical mile coast line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15457/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1070 together.

This Government has committed to the development of the inshore sector in the current Programme for a Partnership Government. The programme identifies a number of methods for supporting the sector, such as ensuring smaller inshore boats are given new opportunities for commercial fishing. Support is being provided under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme (EMFF OP) for enhanced management and conservation of inshore stocks, including v-notching of lobster, more selective fishing gear and preparation and implementation of management plans for a sustainable inshore fishery. Funding of some €6 million has been earmarked under the programme for the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme.

I meet regularly with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). The NIFF and its supporting network of six Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums (RIFFs) cover the entire coast. The Inshore Forums provide a platform for the discussion of problems facing the inshore sea-fisheries sector and have been making recommendation to me on issues of concern for their sector.

The NIFF is taking the lead in setting priorities for the inshore sector, including developing for the first time a dedicated strategy. From my meetings with the NIFF, I have introduced a number of industry-led initiatives, developed through the forum structures, following extensive consultation. These include conservation measures for inshore stocks such as velvet crab and scallop off the coast of Wexford. Public consultations were also held earlier this year (2018) on proposed management measures recommended to me by the NIFF in respect of brown crab and razor clam in the North Irish Sea.

The issue of limiting access to different categories of vessels in inshore waters and within 6 nautical miles has been raised by a number of stakeholders. My department is currently in the final stages of preparing a formal paper to include possible measures. I hope to be in a position to present this paper for a full public consultation in the coming weeks.

The potential impact of limiting access to different categories of vessels in inshore waters and within 6 nautical miles has been the subject of scientific and economic reports by the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara. There has also been preliminary engagement with fisheries representative groups in respect of these reports. The forthcoming consultation paper will set out possible measures and their potential impacts.

Let me reassure the Deputy that once the public consultation begins, adequate time will be provided to ensure that the diverse interests of all stakeholders are considered and any possible measures will be fair and balanced.