Written answer
Angling Sector
The pollack bag limit cannot be reviewed nationally, but Ireland will use scientific and socioeconomic evidence to seek changes through the EU’s 2027 process.
235. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if, given the recognised importance of pollack for recreational angling in Ireland and the role that recreational angling plays in supporting valuable tourism and charter boat business in many coastal communities, if it is intended to conduct any review of the Pollack Fishing Conservation Bye-Law No. 1028 of 2026. [67854/26]
Comment on this
The three-daily recreational bag limit for pollack in ICES subareas 6 and 7, including waters around Ireland, is provided for in Article 12 of Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249. As an EU Regulation it is directly applicable in Ireland and came into effect on the 1 June 2026. The Pollack Fishing Conservation Bye-Law (No. 1028 of 2026) gives national effect to EU measures relating to recreational pollack fishing, as set out in the EU Regulation. Ireland does not have scope to review or amend that limit on a national basis, and any change must be agreed at EU level.
I am very 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. Earlier this year, I 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.
The Department, along with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), is preparing for Ireland’s engagement in the EU process for 2027. Relevant Irish scientific and fisheries data, including IMREC data, will be used to inform our position. IFI is currently progressing a socio-economic assessment of the marine recreational angling sector. While this assessment will not be completed in time to inform 2027 discussions, the Department will consider what relevant socio-economic information is available, including information on experience and economic impacts reported by charter operators and other businesses affected by the 2026 measures.