A series of research projects has been launched to provide new information on Irish fish stocks.
Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, John Browne, said he had secured funding to launch the collaborative research programme between the Irish fishing industry and Marine Institute scientists.
The projects will focus on west of Ireland anglerfish, Celtic Sea cod and the closed area in the Irish Sea. The aim is to improve the knowledge available on key fish stocks that are important to the Irish fleet.
Mr Browne said: "Sustainable management of our fishery relies on accurate fish-stock information, but providing meaningful stock assessments can often be a difficult task. This research will seek to deepen our understanding of the resource and ultimately improve the quality of the scientific assessments and advice."
The study of west of Ireland anglerfish will involve a survey-based assessment of the anglerfish stock off the west and south coast using trawl surveys carried out on commercial vessels.
The project will link up with an EU-funded project on anglerfish off Co Donegal and another project being carried out by the Scottish fishing industry and scientists. Together, they will survey an extensive area from the southwest of Ireland to the north of Scotland using the same trawl gear.
A separate study of Celtic Sea cod will examine the movement of cod in the Celtic Sea area and specifically in the closed box for cod that operates in March and April.
Tagging work will focus on cod moving into the box, examine how long they stay and where they go when they leave the box.
The final project will focus on the Irish Sea cod box, which was established in 2000 to help with cod recovery. Following the debate over whether the box should have been closed to all fishing operations to render it more effective, data will be compiled and computer models used to "simulate" what might have happened with a full closure.
"These projects represent a great opportunity to develop a strong working relationship between scientists and the fishing industry. Working together and sharing each other's knowledge will provide new information and insights that will help addresses key fisheries issues," Mr Browne said.
All three projects will begin next month and run to the end of 2007. They are to be funded under the National Development Plan.