AQW 12175/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 16/12/2020
Answered On Date: 14/01/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban environmentally destructive industrial fishing in Marine Protected Areas.

Answer:

The term industrial fishing is often used to describe catching fish for processing into fish meal and oil, rather than for direct human consumption. This activity is not known occur in the Northern Ireland marine area and therefore does not present a threat to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

While a ban on industrial fishing is not considered necessary, my Department is committed to establishing management measures for activities undertaken in the Northern Ireland marine area that could hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives for MPAs. I recently launched a public consultation on the development of fisheries management measures for MPAs in the inshore region. The consultation includes recommendations to prohibit demersal mobile gear fishing in MPAs with vulnerable habitats and species. Further details can be found at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-development-fisheries-management-measures-marine-protected-areas-mpas-and-establishment.

The recently introduced UK Fisheries Act 2020 provides new powers for my Department to manage fishing activities in the Northern Ireland offshore region for conservation purposes. My Department is considering the evidence that will be required to identify the necessary management measures for the three offshore MPAs and intends to commence stakeholder engagement in 2021.