Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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314. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if fishing trawler boats can access the sea off the coast of Portrane and close to the beach, as a number of trawlers have been seen very close to the quay at the coast of Portrane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26373/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Vessels equal to or greater than 27.43 metres but less than 36.58 metres in overall length, except those licensed in the Specific Segment, are precluded from fishing within three nautical miles from baselines. If such vessels are permitted to fish for herring or mackerel, they are precluded from fishing for such stocks within six and 12 nautical miles from baselines, respectively.

Vessels equal to or greater than 36.58 metres in overall length, except those being licensed in the Specific segment, are precluded from fishing within twelve nautical miles from baselines.

The normal baseline is the low water line along the coast as marked on officially recognized large-scale charts. Where there are deep indents in a coastline or fringes of islands, baselines join headlands and may run to the low-water mark of islands. Baselines can also be established across the mouth of a bay.

The restrictions referred to above relate to fishing activities only.

As the Deputy may be aware, in December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines 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 resulting in the measure being overturned in 2023.

In February 2024, a new public consultation was held on a review of trawling activity inside six nautical miles, allowing stakeholders and interested parties to advise of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. Over 5,000 submissions were received during the consultation, which took place over 8 weeks and without prejudice. These submissions will be used to inform a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. The sheer volume of detailed submissions takes time to collate and fully analyse. All relevant issues will be carefully considered before a decision can be made.

This matter is of the utmost importance to this Government and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is doing everything to progress this as expeditiously as possible.