The fisheries resource is the bedrock of the Irish seafood industry. The waters around Ireland contain some of the most productive fishing grounds and biologically sensitive areas in the EU. In 2007, an estimated 1.9 million tonnes of fish were taken by the fishing fleets of EU member states from the waters around Ireland (ICES Sub-areas VI & VII). Ireland landed 185,000 tonnes of these fish or 10% of the international landings. The main fish species caught were mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, herring, cod, whiting, haddock, saithe, hake, megrim, anglerfish, plaice, sole and Nephrops.
Fish stocks (excluding the Inshore stocks) are managed by the EU under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The main instrument of the CFP are Total Allowable Catches (TAC’s) supplemented by various technical measures (e.g. effort control; mesh size). The provision of timely and accurate fisheries advice on the resource base underpins the management framework of the CFP. Inshore fish stocks (e.g. whelk, cockle) are managed nationally and the Marine Institute works closely with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) through the inshore management. The Inshore Fisheries Atlas provides details of fishing activity in the inshore waters (up to 10 miles from the Irish coast).
The Marine Institute
Annually the Marine Institute Fisheries Science Services (FSS) team produces ‘The Stock Book’ which provides the most up to date stock status and scientific advice on over 75 fish stocks exploited by the Irish fleet. It contains impartial scientific advice developed by the team (working with other international scientists) from the latest available research, assessments and advice on the fisheries resource and the wider marine ecosystem. The information in the Stock Book is of vital importance in serving Ireland during the annual TAC negotiations at the EU Council of Minister’s meeting in December each year. It is also of interest to a wider audience, including the fishing industry, fisheries scientists, managers, third level institutes and others with an interest in the status of marine fisheries resources in the waters around Ireland.
In 2009 the Marine Institute published an 'Atlas of the Commercial Fisheries Around Ireland'. This Atlas gives information, for the main fisheries, on Total Allowable Catches (TACs), landings trends and fishing activity (effort levels) in the waters around Ireland. It is intended to inform the debate on the upcoming review of the CFP, formally scheduled for 2012.
The collection of data on the fisheries resource provides the raw material for the FSS work programmes. There are two main sources of data collected and used by fisheries scientists, fishery independent and fishery dependent data. The first usually involves monitoring the temporal and spatial changes in the fish populations using fisheries surveys on commercial vessels and purpose built research vessels (RV. Celtic Explorer & RV. Celtic Voyager). Fishery dependant data involves collecting and analysing biological data (age, length etc..) of the fish caught, together with data on the quantities of fish caught and the fishing effort.
Working with industry is a key aspect of the MI programmes. Fishermen are an invaluable source of information on stocks, fish behaviour and distribution. Engaging with industry, particularly in relation to the development of management plans and the explanation of evolving scientific advice on the resource is key to future developments in the fisheries resource.