Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
704. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any of the €156.6 million that was allocated to supporting the fisheries sector in Budget 2026 can be used for a payment scheme to support inshore fishermen in the crayfish fishery to move to lower impact gear in order to protect critically endangered species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31941/26]
View answerThe primary source of funding for the Irish commercial seafood sector is the Seafood Development Programme (2021-2027) which is co-funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), one of a number of European cohesion funds. The EMFAF is a funding mechanism which supports the primary objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Under the Programme, there has been research undertaken by the Marine Institute (MI) to improve data collection and explore alternative fishing methods that mitigate by-catch while supporting the economic viability of the crayfish fishery. The MI’s recently published report on catch, by-catch, fishing effort, and spatial distribution in the crayfish fishery in Tralee Bay and Dingle Bay from 2021 to 2024 provides valuable insights into the fishery and has laid the groundwork for developing sustainable conservation measures. My Department is currently examining the findings of the study and its recommendations and I would like to acknowledge the important role of the crayfish operators who contributed to this study.
As part of the research project, that the MI has successfully trialled crayfish pots as a low-impact fishing method, and a larger-scale trial is planned for this year to simulate a commercial pot fishery. This trial will assess the economic feasibility of pot fishing and in transitioning away from tangle netting, ensuring that this shift does not result in job losses for fishers. The MI also advise that the effective design of any potential exclusion zone, including the outlining of suitable boundaries, would require further consideration of behaviour, habitat use and migration patterns of by-catch species as well as the geographic distribution of by-catch risk in relation to the operational location of relevant fisheries.
The crayfish fishery is vital to the livelihoods of inshore fishers, and my Department is committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that future management decisions are informed, equitable, and effective, balancing ecological conservation with economic sustainability. My Department will also review current State Aid legislation to ascertain if potential aid is available to support inshore fishermen to move to lower impact gear in order to protect critically endangered species.
