Written answers

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fisheries Protection

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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753. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the rationale and the data available to him that will close the crayfish fishery off the south coast for 2021 to 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47822/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Crayfish are currently fished primarily using tangle nets off the south west and west coasts of Ireland. I understand that a number of endangered and protected species are caught as by-catch in the nets used to target crayfish. I am advised that the fishery off the south west coast in particular overlaps with an area of high diversity of elasmobranch fish and is close to grey seal haul-out sites and areas designated for harbour porpoise.

The Marine Institute (MI) has been conducting research into the crayfish fishery off the south west coast since 2017. This work, funded by my Department, under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), has provided evidence of how tangle nets used in the crayfish fishery impact on other marine species caught as by-catch.

The crayfish fishery is subject to a follow-on MI led project to identify management proposals aimed at eliminating by-catch of endangered species and restoring crayfish stocks. The MI published a tender in April 2021 seeking fishing vessels to participate in this project which covers a four-year period (2021-2025) and is targeted at the crayfish fishery in the area inside 12 nautical miles between Mizen Head and Loop Head.

My Department recently undertook public consultation on the crayfish fishery to gather views on measures targeted at eliminating the by-catch of endangered species while seeking to secure a viable and sustainable future for the fishery. The consultation process concluded on 16 September 2021 and my Department is currently evaluating the submissions received. I can advise the Deputy that this consultation and the MI led research will assist in determining any future policy decisions on the management of this fishery.

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