Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine in view of the national adult nutrition survey carried out by an Irish university and funded by him that reported that too much fat and salt were part of the staple diet of our citizens, if he will consider a radical intervention in food policy to address the crisis at the production and processing stage of food as is the practice in many of the Nordic countries; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a reported 60% of adults under the age of 65 years here are reported to be overweight and 30% of the population is reported to be obese; if he will examine the cause of this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31630/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have only in recent days become aware of issues in regard to pelagic draft net artisanal fishing in Inver Bay, County Donegal following a letter and supporting documentation submitted by a fisherman late last week. I am very supportive, in principle, of providing for the reintroduction of traditional fishing methods around the coast, subject to ensuring that such methods are in compliance with EU regulations and do not adversely impact on other fish stocks, particularly wild salmon.

I will seek the advice of the Marine Institute on the possible unintended impacts of this method of fishing. In that regard, I will seek the views of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, who has responsibility for salmon conservation, on the issues involved. I am advised that there appears to be no barrier to fishing for mackerel, herring and sprat using pelagic draft ring net artisanal fishing methods, subject to using the legal and mesh size and having applied for and received an authorisation in respect of herring.

The waters off the north-west coast are the subject of an EU cod recovery plan and additional EU technical conservation measures to protect cod, haddock and whiting. These regulations restrict the fishing gear and mesh size that may be used in the north west. These EU regulations do not apply to pelagic fishing where standard pelagic trawls are used with a mesh size of 55 mm or less.

I am aware that sprat are targeted in the bays of the north west by small trawlers using mid water pelagic nets. These boats also fish sprat further offshore in the area between St. John's Point, Bundoran and Doorin. The occurrence of sprat shoals is dependent on many things. The population is subject to wild fluctuations and a strong year class may occur every fourth year or so. Its survival may depend on many physical environmental features and the number of predators. In this case, it will be necessary to establish that the mesh size is in conformity with the provisions of the EU transitional conservation measures for the north west.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

My Department advertised in the Irish Independent in November 2010 for applicants for herring authorisations in the north west for 2011. If a fisherman did not make an application at that time, he or she would not have been issued with a herring authorisation. Other than the requirement for an authorisation - assuming that the fisherman is using a mesh size permitted under the EU transitional conservation measures for the north west - there is no preclusion in place to fishing for herring using a draft ring net.

I am currently reviewing the management arrangements for Irish herring fisheries. In June my Department asked the industry for its views and I am currently considering its responses in the context of the information on participation in the various fisheries being prepared by my Department. During the period of consultation which took place, artisanal fishermen from Inver Bay, County Donegal did not communicate to my Department the issues in respect of their specific fishery. Having recently received such a submission, I am happy to give it due consideration. However, there is nothing currently in place to prevent such fishermen catching herring once they have applied for and received a specific authorisation and subject to the mesh size being in compliance with EU regulation.

In Autumn 2010 my Department engaged in a comprehensive consultation process regarding the mackerel fisheries, including advertising in national newspapers. The arrangements put in place to support fishing for mackerel by boats under 18 m - as set out in section 6 of "Determination (No. 17) of the Need for an Authorisation for Certain Fish Stocks" - permit the catching of mackerel based on a monthly limit set following consultation with industry representatives. As for the other pelagic fisheries, the mesh size to be used for mackerel must be in conformity with EU regulation. I assure the Deputy of my commitment to have the technical issues relating to this gear type examined and to advise the applicant in respect of the fisheries in which he has expressed an interest.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his positive reply. I tabled this question because fishermen in Inver Bay who use traditional methods which have been in place there for over 100 years have been placed under severe pressure, particularly by the regional fisheries board. This is because - perhaps both fortunately and unfortunately - the bay is partly formed by the estuary of a river in which salmon spawn. The regional fisheries board has tried to claim that the individuals to whom I refer are also fishing for salmon when they are out trying to catch sprat and mackerel. However, they use completely different gear to fish for the latter and, therefore, the chances of their catching salmon are practically non-existent. It is important that the type of fishing in which they are involved should be recognised as a traditional method. I understand there is precedent in this regard because a type of gillnet fishery exists in west Cork. I welcome the fact that the Minister is going to consult the Marine Institute and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. I look forward to a positive outcome in respect of this matter.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We are trying to be constructive with regard to this matter. If we can facilitate fishermen who use traditional methods, particularly in respect of specific stocks which fall outside the TAC system, I would be extremely anxious to do so. Many restrictions are imposed on those involved in fishing in the context of effort, stocks, quotas and the tonnage that applies in respect of their boats. If we can facilitate some flexibility in respect of allowing the use of other methods of catching fish which do not impact on vulnerable stocks, then I would be anxious to encourage this. However, we must ensure that we do our homework properly. The last thing I want to do is provide an indication that it is fine for fishermen to invest and commence fishing and then be obliged to clamp down on their activities in six months time as a result of a decision made by the European Commission. What we do must remain consistent with the rules and the law. The reply I have given the Deputy is initial in nature and it suggests that significant opportunities exist if people want to pursue them.