Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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331. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4699/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Some fishing vessel owners have licences for their vessels that limit them to fishing with pots. This only applies to a portion of the Irish fishing fleet, however, and other fishers do not have this restriction. Operators with "potting" licences who wish to fish by other means need to acquire the appropriate licence for their vessel. The majority of boats registered in the Irish fishing fleet have polyvalent licences which permit them to fish with a variety of gear.There are no conservation measures in place in Ireland that require the use of pots to fish for crab and lobster.

Regarding lobster hatcheries, BIM and the Marine Institute have previously advised that, based on the status of Irish lobster stocks, management of existing fishing practices is considered the most effective means of improving stock levels.