Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This time five years ago, in December 2018, a transition to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, was announced by my predecessor. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings following a Judicial Review taken by two fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy Directive which underpinned the initiative. The outcome of these proceedings is that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 has been quashed by an Order of Certiorari made by the Court of Appeal.

As I have previously put on record on this issue, I have decided to proceed with a new public consultation in the matter of trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines.

I am conscious of the dependence of our inshore fleet, compared to larger vessels, on fishing resources within the six nautical mile zone. Other issues that need to be reflected on include balancing the management of our fisheries with the needs of the marine ecosystem and particularly with the forthcoming introduction of legislation for Marine Protected Areas.

My Department has sought up-to-date scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, respectively, on trawling in the waters inside the six nautical miles.

Once those reports are finalised and policy options are identified by my Department, I can proceed with the public consultation.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Fisheries are managed through the Common Fisheries Policy within the European Union which includes a system of Total Allowable Catches (TACs). These are established by regulation each year for most stocks in the waters around Ireland. Assessments of fish stocks are conducted by the Marine Institute for those stocks not subject to EU Total Allowable Catches. Such assessments and associated advice is provided to my Department mostly for shellfish stocks including crab, lobster, crayfish, whelk, razor clams and cockle which are fished predominately within the six nautical mile zone. These assessments are published annually by the Marine Institute in the ‘Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review’ which can be accessed online at oar.marine.ie/. It must be stated that a number of these shellfish stocks, including cockle and razor clams, are managed by Total Allowable Catches on a national basis, independent of the European Union. In addition, crab and scallop which are important non-TAC stocks for the Irish fleet are also fished outside of the six nautical mile zone. These stocks are managed by fishing effort limits and minimum landing sizes. Data to support the assessment of shellfish stocks is derived from research surveys undertaken by the Marine Institute and data reported by scientific observers and skippers contracted to the Marine Institute. In addition, a sentinel fleet of approximately 70 vessels have been reporting data on inshore fisheries to the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara since 2010.