Fair Seas looks forward to supporting the implementation of this decision and stresses the importance of further measures to ensure Ireland’s inshore fisheries are well monitored and sustainable.
Fair Seas welcomes the recent decision announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley to restrict trawling by vessels over 18 metres in Ireland’s inshore waters.
From 1 October 2026, trawling activity (the use of trawl or seine nets) by vessels over 18 metres in length will be prohibited within Ireland’s six nautical mile zone and baselines. A one-year transition period will apply from 1 October 2025, during which a limited sprat fishery will be permitted under authorisation, capped at a total allowable catch of 2,000 tonnes.
As stated in our response to the 2024 consultation based on the options put forward by Government, Fair Seas believes this fisheries management option gives the greatest environmental and conservation benefit while also preserving and potentially increasing the social, economic and cultural positives of the inshore fishing sector and coastal communities in Ireland.
As highlighted in the Marine Institute assessment report published alongside the public consultation in 2024, ‘a high proportion of the areas inside the baselines and inside 6nm, is designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives’. These sites include many of Ireland’s most diverse marine habitats including large areas of reed, coarse sediments, sands and muds, each supporting different fish species and assemblages of marine organisms. It is also highlighted that ‘by changing the fishing access arrangements in respect of sea-fishing boats trawling inside the six nautical mile zone, policy options could potentially address some of these impacts on ecosystems’.
Fair Seas also commends the Ministers for recognising the overwhelming public support for this decision, 94% of the 5,574 submissions called for a ban on trawling by vessels over 18 metres. We also welcome the acknowledgement of the importance of this decision for small-scale fishers, coastal communities and biodiversity in the announcement. Fishing activity is one of the most culturally, socially and economically important and widespread commercial activities taking place within Ireland’s 6nm zone. Therefore, any efforts taken to ensure this activity is conducted sustainably, fairly, and in a manner which safeguards biodiversity is warmly welcomed.
However, whilst this new fisheries management measure is a positive first step, it is clear that much more work is needed to ensure that inshore fisheries management of non-quota species, such as sprat, is sustainable. To gauge whether current or future levels of fishing under the new restrictions for vessels over 18m is sustainable, effective monitoring and robust baseline information on sprat and other forage fish is essential. If this measure is to truly “re-establish links between local fish resources, local fleets and local economies” and reflect Ireland’s commitments under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 14: Life Below Water as Minister Dooley claims, it needs to be urgently followed up with a robust monitoring and relevant stock assessments which will inform further management actions.
This long-awaited and first step by the Government is a win for the environment, inshore fishing communities, and for Ireland’s legal and policy commitments. Fair Seas looks forward to supporting the implementation of this decision as well as advancing the all-important next steps in sustainable inshore fisheries management so that marine ecosystems and coastal communities can thrive together.
Fair Seas initial submission to the 2024 consultation.
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