The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed has launched a public consultation on trawling within the six nautical mile coastal zone.
This consultation is taking place after a number of concerns were raised by stakeholders regarding the level of trawling inside the six nautical mile zone.
The topic has been the subject of scientific and economic reports by the Marine Institute (MI) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and preliminary engagement with fisheries representative groups.
Minister Creed said "This Government has committed to the development of the inshore sector in the current Programme for a Partnership Government. The programme identifies a number of methods for supporting the sector, such as ensuring smaller inshore boats are given new opportunities for commercial fishing".
Minister Creed has prepared a formal paper, with advice from the MI and BIM, to aid the consultation process. The consultation paper sets out possible measures and their potential impacts.
The consultation period will run until 11 June.
