Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
968. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work being carried out to support the development of sustainable conservation measures for the crayfish fishery inside 12NM between Mizen Head and Loop Head; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11909/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra969. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will, in light of the recent Marine Institute study on bycatch in the crayfishery, introduce tangle net exclusion zones from critical shark habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11910/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra970. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a payment scheme to support inshore fishers in the crayfishery, as a just transition mechanism, and as part of robust management measures to protect critically endangered species currently at risk from tangle nets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11911/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 968, 969 and 970 together.
The crayfish fishery is vital to the livelihoods of inshore fishers, particularly along the southwest coast. My Department has been working to address a number of concerns associated with the use of tangle nets in this fishery.
My Department, under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), has funded 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 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.
Currently there are a number of management measures in place to support the sustainability of the crayfish fishery (crayfish is referred to in the regulations as “crawfish”). These include the Crawfish (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 289 of 2019), which require all crawfish containing a v-notch to be returned alive to the sea, and the Crawfish (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 232 of 2006), which prohibit the landing of any crawfish whose carapace length is less than 110 mm. Additionally, and specifically in mitigating by-catch, the Crawfish (Fisheries Management and Conservation) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 233 of 2006) provide for a ban on the taking of crawfish by means of nets in two specified areas off the Galway and Kerry coasts. These measures are complemented by ongoing engagement between the MI and fishers in the area with these efforts aiming to reduce by-catch and ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery. In addition, my Department is engaging with the MI and industry representatives on additional management measures for the crayfish fishery. Such measures will be based on scientific evidence and implemented in collaboration with the inshore fishing sector to minimise economic disruption while maximising conservation outcomes.
I can inform the Deputy 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 primary source of funding for the Irish commercial seafood sector is the EMFAF (2021-2027) programme, one of a number of European cohesion funds. The EMFAF Regulation is aligned with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and the EMFAF Regulation does not make provision for income supports to primary producers in the seafood sector. There is little scope to implement funding supports of the type referred to by the Deputy under existing EU state aid Regulations in the fisheries sector.
I can, however, assure the Deputy that 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.
