Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1579. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process by which assessment and monitoring of inshore fishing information is gathered namely razor clam fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42394/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to the assessment and monitoring of inshore fisheries, such as those for razor clam. I should advise the Deputy that my Department’s role in sea-fisheries is to manage fishing opportunities available to the Irish fishing fleet and to prepare and oversee implementation of relevant policies in keeping with the Common Fisheries Policy.

Scientific assessments of sea-fish stocks, including inshore stocks, are carried out by the Marine Institute (MI). The MI is the statutory body whose function is inter alia to undertake sea-fisheries research, assess and advise on the sustainable exploitation of the marine fisheries resources in the waters around Ireland and on the impacts of fisheries on the ecosystem. The MI publishes annual stock books with information relevant to species subject to EU quotas fished both offshore and inshore and, together with BIM, also publishes the annual Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review that focuses on non-quota species such as razor clam, lobster and crab and the activity of the shellfish fleet. The MI publications can be found online at .

The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities.Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service.  I am expressly precluded from getting involved in such operational matters.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1580. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline any sustainable fishing advocacy groups he is aware of in County Louth including local regional branches. [42395/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In responding to the Deputy I can advise that the coastal zone of County Louth comes under the area covered by the North East Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum (RIFF), which also includes the coastal zones of counties Meath and Dublin. The North East RIFF is part of the network of six Regional Forums around the coast that support the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). The National and Regional Forums are consultative bodies, established to foster industry-led development of proposals for the management of non-quota stocks within six nautical miles of the Irish shore. Since their inception, the Forums have developed initiatives seeking to protect the future of the inshore sector, which is extremely important for Irish coastal communities. The Forums involve representation from inshore fishers, environmental interests, marine leisure, marine tourism and other marine stakeholders. A dedicated website provides information on the work of the Forums: www.inshoreforums.ie.

In addition, the Irish fishing industry has several Producer Organisations, including the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO), the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation (ISEFPO) and the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO). Seafood processors are represented by the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA). All of these are national groups and cover, as appropriate, operators in County Louth. The Clogherhead Fishermen’s Co-operative also is based in County Louth.