New fishing rules for trawlers

Ottoline Spearman

The Government has given legal effect to measures restricting larger trawlers from fishing within six nautical miles of the coast.

Fishing boats over 18 metres in length or operating with certain types of nets are now banned from operating close to land.

However, a catch limit of 2,000 tonnes of sprat will be permitted for larger vessels until the end of September next year.

Fisheries Minister Timmy Dooley said that these measures could ensure a greater distribution of available fish stocks, potentially boosting businesses around the country.

Addressing the Oireachtas in a written answer, Mr Dooley said: "I am mindful of the opportunity that these measures will provide for our important small-scale fishers as the announced restrictions apply to larger vessels only, and I am confident that these measures will help to re-establish links between local fish resources, local fleets and local economies."