Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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730. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the importance of the east coast mussel seed fishery by reopening it as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54743/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that industry members of the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum (BGMCF) are pressing for an opening of the mussel seed fishery in the Irish Sea this autumn as productive seed beds have been identified through Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) surveys off Wexford. I wish to assure the Deputy that I fully recognise the importance of this fishery and of wild mussel seed as raw material for the bottom grown mussel aquaculture sector. While this is of utmost priority, my Department is not yet in a position to proceed as invasive alien species (IAS), including Crepidula fornicata (Slipper limpet) and Sargassum muticum (Japanese wireweed) were also detected at the seed beds. This has necessitated a precautionary approach under national and EU legislation, including the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 374 of 2024), as both species are listed as an IAS of national concern and subject to strict controls.

A detailed risk assessment has been conducted by the IAS and Aquaculture Working Group, which consists of representatives from a number of Departments and State agencies and is facilitated by BIM. Supplementary advice has also been requested by my Department so that the appropriate measures can be taken. I wish to assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to expedite this process. To that end, my Department continues to work collaboratively with the above expert Working Group on advancing all remaining issues.