Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1714.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 13 June 2024, the status of plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated within the six-nautical-mile zone; to provide a status update on the review of trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone was announced. A significant part of the objective of this measure was to manage the fishing effort on sprat stocks which are primarily targeted within inshore waters. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings the outcome of which, received last year, is that the ban has been overturned.

As set out in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of June 13th, 2024, I held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place over a period of eight weeks and closed on Friday 12th April. This consultation took place without prejudice.

The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise me of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,000 - were received. These submissions will be used to inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. My Department is in the process of analysing the submissions. All relevant issues must be carefully considered before a decision can be made.

Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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1715.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the proposals contained in the letter from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33329/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I will clarify, at the outset, that under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the SFPA and the Naval Service and I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.

As regards Ireland’s goals for sustainable fisheries, these are supported through the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The CFP provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. The CFP utilises the best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, on the basis of a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The Hague Preferences give Ireland an increased share of important whitefish stocks when Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels reduce below a specified level.

The Hague Preferences must be negotiated annually at the December Fisheries Council and, therefore, we cannot take them for granted. There is strong opposition each year from some Member states to the application of the Hague Preferences, as the additional quota for Ireland comes off their allocations. These Member States argue that the Hague Preferences were taken into account when allocations keys were first established in 1983.

Any change to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system. This would require other Member States to give up existing quota shares. Any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other Member States and therefore poses particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context.

Our fisheries environment has changed fundamentally since the current CFP came into force. The UK’s withdrawal from the EU has had significant impacts for fisheries in the North-East Atlantic and North Sea. The quota transfers under the EU-UK Trade & Co-operation Agreement (TCA) have led to a reduction in fishing opportunities for Ireland and other EU Member States, impacting not only fishing fleets but the wider seafood sector including marine support services and coastal communities dependent on fishing.

I have consistently called for the Commission to fully analyse and report on the impacts of Brexit on the CFP, and in particular, the impact on the EU and Member States’ fishing opportunities as a result of quota transfers under the TCA.

In March 2024, the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius, announced that an evaluation of the CFP would be carried out.

I am considering how Ireland will participate actively and effectively in this evaluation, including the interaction with stakeholders, to prepare Ireland’s case and identify priorities.