Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Five years ago, in December 2018, a transition to a ban on vessels over 18 metres in overall length trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, was announced following a previous public consultation. This ban had a strong support base but was overturned following legal challenge. In view of changes in activity and issues concerning the marine space since then, I think it is important that this issue is reviewed and reflected on in an open, inclusive process.

To inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone, I launched a public consultation which will last for 8 weeks beginning on February 13th. This consultation will close at 1pm on April 12th.

To inform the consultation, up-to-date scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara on trawling in the waters inside the six nautical miles has been published along with a consultation paper which sets out potential options and provides information on issues to consider.

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 but also the changes that have come with Brexit, the Energy Crisis and the Climate Crisis. The policy context is greatly changed from 2018. I encourage all interested parties to read the consultation documents and to reflect on those in making any submissions.

A previous consultation in this matter was held in 2018 which received in the order of 900 responses. It might be anticipated, therefore, that a similar large number of submissions will be received during this consultation. I hope for this process to be concluded by the final quarter of this year. It would not be appropriate, however, at this point to comment further on timelines, as the consultation, by its very nature, could bring up a number of alternative options or further considerations to be explored. These would need appropriate analysis and reflection.