Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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729. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure that onboard electronical monitoring is implemented on all factory ships and any and all other large foreign trawlers that enter Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65536/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Changes to common fisheries policy, including changes to control requirements for fishing vessels, come within the sole competence of the EU. Member States are permitted to introduce non-discriminatory measures within their 12 mile zone, subject to compliance with policy and procedures set down in the CFP.

The monitoring requirements referred to by the Deputy are encompassed within the EU's Fisheries Control Regulation.

The Fisheries Control Regulation provides for a Union fisheries control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy and establishing a level playing field across the EU on fisheries control. The current Control Regulation entered into force in January 2024 and updates and amends the previous 2009 Control Regulation.

The amended Control Regulation provides that onboard electronic monitoring shall be in place from 10 January 2028 for Union catching vessels of 18 metres in length overall or more which pose a high risk of non-compliance with the landing obligation/discards ban. The flag Member State (where the vessel is registered), and the Coastal Member State (in whose waters the vessel is operating), shall have access to the monitoring data. Implementing Acts are anticipated to provide for detailed requirements on, and the application of, the rules for onboard electronic monitoring.

Under Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 of the European Parliament and the Council of 12 December 2017 on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets, all requirements of Union vessels shall apply to Third Country vessels operating in EU waters, as a general rule.

The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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730. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take into consideration the importance of reopening a fishery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65546/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for his question.

I wish to fully assure the Deputy that I understand the importance of the Irish Sea mussel seed fishery and of wild mussel seed as a raw material for the bottom grown mussel aquaculture sector. These primary producers, in turn, supply the downstream indigenous seafood processing and export industries and help to sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. The importance of these primary and secondary seafood production activities is reflected in the Food Vision 2030 strategy.

The detection of the invasive alien species Crepidula fornicata (slipper limpet) and Sargassum Muticum (Japanese wireweed) at the Long Bank seedbed off Wexford earlier this year has proven to be exceptionally challenging. There are stringent controls in force on such species in accordance with the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 (Statutory Instrument No. 374 of 2024), under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This has mandated a cross-Departmental, cross-agency response to the matter which remains ongoing.

I am pleased that I was able to open the Rusk Channel seedbed on the 12th of November to allow the industry to fish for much needed mussel seed. The Seed Mussel Biomass Survey of the Rusk Channel, carried out by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), identified that this seed bed has the potential to yield approximately 1,600 tonnes of seed for the bottom grown mussel aquaculture sector.

My Department is continuing to seek advice on the implications of S.I. 374 of 2024 on the mussel seed fishery beyond the Rusk Channel. Every effort is being made by my Department, and the relevant agencies, to expedite this process and to address outstanding matters.

Any updates will be communicated promptly to industry via the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum (BGMCF).