I propose to take Questions Nos. 803, 804 and 812 together.
Ireland’s goals for sustainable fisheries, including inshore stocks such as razor clam, are supported by 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 viability of fishing throughout EU waters. The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland's Future - aligns with this by committing to a sustainable future for the Irish fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities.
There are a number of regulations in place to give legal effect to the current management measures for the sustainable fishing of razor clam, including:
• S.I. No. 160 of 2018: establishes a minimum conservation reference size of 125 mm for razor clams in the North Irish Sea,
• S.I. No. 588 of 2015: reduces the weekly landing limit for razor clam for vessels in the North Irish Sea to 600 kilograms from January 2016,
• S.I. No. 207 of 2015: limits razor clam fishing in the North Irish Sea to specific days of the week,
• S.I. No. 206 of 2015: regulates the razor clam fishery within internal waters or territorial seas, including weighing of landings, reporting of catch, and GPS monitoring of vessels.
These regulations were developed in consultation with inshore fishers and stakeholders through the National and Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums, which play a key role in protecting the future of the inshore sector. I actively engage with these forums on matters concerning inshore fisheries and will continue to do so.
The National Inshore Fisheries Forum have very recently submitted a proposal to my Department on the management of the razor clam fishery in the North Irish Sea, promoting the long-term sustainability of razor clam stocks. The proposal is currently under consideration by my Department, and should help to inform future management measures for this important fishery. The proposal will be further examined by my Department and its agencies at the upcoming Department and Agencies Inshore Group (formerly the Inshore Management Group) due to take place in Q1 2026.
Scientific assessments of razor clam stocks are conducted by the Marine Institute, the statutory body responsible for sea-fisheries research and advising on sustainable exploitation of marine resources. The Marine Institute has recommended total allowable catches (TACs) in recent years for razor clam fishing in the North Irish Sea, based on harvest rates and annual biomass estimates from research surveys. The following table outlines the Marine Institute’s TAC advice and corresponding landings data reported by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) over the past five years:*Landings data supplied by the SFPA is based on logsheets and sales notes.
|
Year (based on Razor Clam fishing season)
|
Marine Institute TAC advice
|
Landings (tonnes)*
|
|
July 2020 – May 2021
|
N/A
|
631
|
|
July 2021 – May 2022
|
N/A
|
636
|
|
July 2022 – May 2023
|
636
|
716
|
|
July 2023 – May 2024
|
763
|
680
|
|
July 2024 – May 2025
|
623
|
787
|
The Marine Institute regularly publishes the Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review in collaboration with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which provides insights into trends in the razor clam fishery and other non-quota species. The review for 2024 and previous years can be accessed online at [oar.marine.ie/], and the 2025 review is expected to be published in the coming months.
I can inform the Deputy that all sea-fishing boat licences include a condition requiring at least 50% of the crew to be nationals of EU Member States. The Register of Sea Fishing Boats is publicly accessible at www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/5907a-sea-fisheries-administration/.
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 concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for 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.
Fishers and other persons are encouraged to report concerns to the SFPA, which is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with sea-fisheries legislation. Contact details for the SFPA are available on its website.
