284. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the hardship the pollack three fish restrictions per 24 hour period will cause the fishing angling vessels nationwide given that the sea angling business is critical to so many in our coastal communities; if he has considered other fishing opportunities for this sector, including exploring sea bass as a renewed option in addition to blue fin tuna fishing opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38979/26]

EU fishing opportunities and conservation measures are informed by scientific advice and the need to support the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

I am conscious of the concerns of the recreational angling and charter boat sectors in relation to the daily bag limit being introduced for the recreational fishing of pollack from June 2026. I also fully recognise the importance of the recreational sea angling and charter boat sectors to coastal communities and I am conscious of the challenges that this measure presents for operators in the sector. I recently met with representatives of the sector, to hear directly their concerns regarding the introduction of the recreational bag limit for pollack and to discuss the impact this measure will have on their businesses and on coastal communities.

In considering alternative angling opportunities, it is important to note that the recreational fishing of both sea bass and blue fin tuna are also subject to EU conservation measures. Recreational fishing for sea bass is subject to a daily bag limit, while a strictly regulated catch and release programme applies to blue fin tuna.

Work is ongoing within Inland Fisheries Ireland to build a national dataset on recreational activity through the Irish Marine Recreational Angling Survey (IMREC) and a socio-economic assessment of the marine recreational angling sector is being progressed to help inform future discussions and consideration of sustainable recreational fishing opportunities. The Department will continue to engage constructively in EU discussions and will monitor future angling opportunities that may arise on the basis of scientific advice and stock sustainability.