Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1582. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will use the current capacity in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to assist inshore fishers in addressing high fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13687/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I remain conscious of the challenging environment for inshore fishers. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs had been particularly highlighted as a challenge in my regular engagement with the sector, particularly during the summer months of 2022 when prices peaked.

As these events unfolded, I worked very closely with industry to develop short and longer term supports, based on the recommendations of the Seafood Task Force, to assist the wider seafood industry cope with the consequences of Brexit and the wider operating environment. Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €267.8m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched. These are more generous and comprehensive that those put in place elsewhere and will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces. This has included schemes to support Inshore fishers with both short-term financial supports and schemes to help sustain the sector in the long term.

In respect of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), while the majority of funds have been committed as the programme draws to a close, funding was provided in 2022 for the EMFF Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme, including Inshore fishers receiving grants for participation in the v-notching initiative.

It has been a welcome signal that fuel prices fell in the last quarter of 2022 and have continued to fall in 2023, reaching similar levels to what was experienced prior to the Russian invasion. I am continuing to monitor this situation and keep these matters under review.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1583. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with inshore fishers, their representative organisations, and their producer organisations concerning his plans for the implementation of the EU Action Plan on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13688/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the European Commission recently published a package of fisheries policy communications including a plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries. The actions proposed seek to reduce the impact of fishing activities on the marine environment, doing so sustainably, and finding the right balance environmentally and in terms of economically viable fishing is of utmost importance.

The fishing sector in particular is highly dependent on a healthy marine environment, and its own environmental impacts, where relevant, need to be managed in an appropriate manner. As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have responsibilities towards the marine environment and ensuring that sea-fishing and aquaculture activities are conducted in a manner that avoids the deterioration of designated features of Natura 2000 conservations sites or the significant disturbance of protected species within those sites. The majority of the marine Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas) are inshore, within six nautical miles. A series of appropriate assessments and risk assessments have been undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute over the years with regard to sea-fishing and aquaculture activities in or near Natura 2000 sites. Mitigation measures have been introduced where required to manage the risks posed to these sites.

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) supports the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and provides supports to achieve food security through the supply of seafood products, growth of a sustainable blue economy and healthy, safe and sustainably managed seas and oceans. Ireland’s Seafood Development Programme not only supports the industry directly, but also assists in meeting obligations under the CFP and targets in relation to sustainability and biodiversity.

I work with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) in facilitating their engagement in policy initiatives and in the managing and planning for inshore fisheries. Constructive discussions have been held around industry priorities and exploring new opportunities for diversification. I continue to engage with the inshore sector, with the NIFF and the two EU Producer Organisations focused on inshore related matters, the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) and the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association (NIFA) to address any challenges, issues and concerns facing the sector and to seek their input into the development of initiatives.

I am committed to supporting the Irish fishing industry, including the inshore sector, to operate in a sustainable manner and to continue working towards achieving and maintaining good environmental status in Irish waters.