Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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2023. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning industrial fishing for sprat similar to that for herring and mackerel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15526/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a Policy Directive was introduced in March 2019, following the decision of the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine that from 1 January 2020 all trawling by large vessels, over 18 metres in length overall, in coastal waters inside Ireland’s 6 mile zone was to cease, other than for a sprat fishery which was to be phased out during 2020 and 2021.

A Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy Directive. On 6 October 2020, the High Court made an order quashing the Policy Directive. While a stay on the order was refused by the High Court on 10th December 2020, a stay on the order was subsequently granted by the Court of Appeal on 19th March last. The substantive hearing of the Court of Appeal is due to take place on the 22nd and 23rd June next, however, as the case has been identified as a priority case, it remains on a waiting list and the State will be advised if an earlier date becomes available.

However, as the matter is currently sub judice, I am not prepared to consider further potential measures restricting the fishing of sprat until the matter is resolved before the courts.