Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
615. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to produce guidelines around coastal magnet fishing; if his Department will support the removal of metal waste from the Irish foreshore while protecting the State’s interests; if his Department will discuss the matter with other responsible Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15386/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs so-called "magnet fishing" does not involve the harvesting of marine biological resources, it does not come within my remit as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, which comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, is the body responsible for granting marine licences for specified activities, including the removal of any substance or object from the sea or seabed.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that my Department assists in the collaborative effort to help in keeping our oceans clean and healthy and launched the Clean Oceans Initiative in January 2019. The Clean Oceans Initiative is managed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to help protect marine life from the harmful effects of plastic and other pollution. A number of activities form part of the initiative including ‘Fishing for Litter’ which encourages fishers to collect any litter or debris they come across while working at sea. I can inform the Deputy that Ireland’s fishing sector has collected more than 1,000 tonnes of marine litter as part of its ‘Fishing for Litter’ activities from its inception to date.
