Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
966. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the public consultation on the management of the crayfish fishery held in 2021 by his Department; if any report was finalised following that consultation; if so, the reason it was never published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11907/26]
View answer967. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the number of submissions received by his Department as part of the public consultation on the management of the crayfish fishery; to provide a summary of those submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11908/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 966 and 967 together.
I can inform the Deputy that a public consultation on the crayfish fishery conducted in 2021 aimed to gather views on the future management of the fishery, focusing on eliminating by-catch and ensuring the sustainability of crayfish stocks. A total of 49 submissions were received, with 37 directly from the fishing industry and their representatives, accounting for 75% of responses. Other submissions included 2 from environmental NGOs, 2 from state bodies, 5 from members of the general public, and 3 from other respondents.
My Department’s analysis of this consultation revealed mixed findings. On the issue of by-catch in the fishery, responses were divided, with 37% confirming its occurrence and 49% refuting its significance. While a number of conservation measures were suggested by respondents, including the banning of tangle nets, limiting fishing seasons, reducing soak times, and transitioning to pot fishing, 20% of respondents felt no additional measures were necessary. A majority of respondents (56%) opposed prohibiting tangle nets in the project area, citing economic impacts and potential overfishing in other areas. However, 73% of respondents believed in the potential to develop management measures that would balance operators’ incomes and conservation goals.
The results of the consultation were not published as there was a clear need for further evaluation and integration with ongoing research conducted by the Marine Institute (MI) on the crayfish fishery. This MI study, funded by my Department under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), has focused on improving data collection, exploring alternative fishing methods, and developing sustainable management proposals. The consultation findings were used to inform the project’s work and may assist in guiding future policy decisions.
The consultation highlighted the importance of balancing conservation efforts with the economic viability of the crayfish fishery. While fishers expressed concerns about the potential impact of new measures on their livelihoods, there was general agreement on the potential for management measures to protect the crayfish stock and endangered species.
My Department is committed to engaging with fishers and other stakeholders and advancing research through the work of the MI to ensure the long-term sustainability of the crayfish fishery while protecting Ireland’s marine biodiversity. The MI continues to work closely with fishers in the project area, and their active participation in this work has been hugely important and I would like to thank them for their valuable input.
