Inshore fishing reform plan

The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, has said he favours local management of coastal fish stocks.

The Minister said in Clifden, Co Galway, yesterday he intends setting up a national advisory committee on management of inshore fisheries; that is, fisheries within the 12-mile limit involving vessels of 15 metres or under.

The Minister has also approved a pilot study to examine the feasibility of local development committees for the inshore sector. The measures have been recommended in a report which values the inshore fishery sector at £30 million and says it accounts for 21 per cent of fish landed.

Some 15,500 people are dependent on the sector, which employs more than 3,700, according to the study published by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and presented to the Minister in Clifden yesterday.

The study recommends that the Marine Institute undertake an enhanced stock assessment and research programme for the inshore fisheries sector, in co-operation with the Office of Public Works' research on marine mammals, specifically seals, which many fishermen blame for depleting stocks.

It notes that the sector has suffered due to lack of policy and recommends that a pilot scheme be established at local level to examine the feasibility of setting up development committees. It says zoning of inshore waters should be considered and recommends greater collaboration between the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and the Central Fisheries Board in monitoring and enforcement of licensing and technical conservation measures.

It also recommends that BIM undertake a marketing review to maximise the price potential of lobster, brown crab, velvet crab, whelk and periwinkle. It says the sector should be encouraged to develop fish farming and sea angling.

One man already diversifying in Connemara yesterday was Mr Johnny King, who launched his new vessel, the Western King- fisher, at Cleggan pier at a ceremony attended by Dr Woods. The vessel will offer island-hopping tours, angling trips and outings to view Atlantic marine and bird-life.