AQW 29509/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 09/02/2022
Answered On Date: 15/02/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to maintain fish stocks at levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yield.

Answer:

My Department works closely with the UK Government at the annual Coastal State negotiations between the EU and the UK to set Total Allowable Catches (TACs) at sustainable levels. For the main stocks targeted by the Northern Ireland fishing fleet in the Irish Sea, the TACs have been set at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) level. This includes economically important fisheries for Nephrops, herring and haddock, as well as sole and plaice.

The two Irish Sea stocks that have TACs set above MSY advice are cod and whiting. The TACs have been set at the lowest level that provides a balance between supporting the rebuilding of these stocks and allowing other economically important fisheries to continue by minimising the by-catches of cod and whiting. Neither species is allowed to be directly targeted and Irish Sea fishing fleets must continue to use highly selective fishing gears. The Department is also supporting research to further improve selectivity and understand factors that may be preventing cod and whiting from recovering to historical levels.

Looking forward, the Joint Fisheries Statement includes a commitment to produce Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) for the main UK fish stocks. FMPs will set out how the objectives of the Fisheries Act 2020 will be delivered, including how vulnerable stocks will be restored and protected. The Department will lead on the development of FMPs for the key Irish Sea stocks.