Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1260.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1714 of 23 July 2024, the status of plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated within the six-nautical-mile zone; to provide a status update on the review of trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34967/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone was announced. A significant part of the objective of this measure was to manage the fishing effort on sprat stocks which are primarily targeted within inshore waters. This measure was the subject of extended legal proceedings, the outcome of which, received last year, is that the ban has been overturned.

As set out in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 1714 of July 23rd, 2024, I held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place over a period of eight weeks and closed on Friday 12th April. This consultation took place without prejudice.

The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise me of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,000 - were received. These submissions will be used to inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. My Department is in the process of analysing the submissions. All relevant issues must be carefully considered before a decision can be made.