#MarineNotice - A new Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that the annual Irish groundfish survey will be take place off the northwest coast from 19-30 September.

Carried out by the Marine Institute in fulfilment of Ireland’s CFP (Common Fisheries Policy) obligations, IGFS 2015 is a demersal trawl survey consisting of a minimum of 45 fishing hauls each of 35 minutes duration.

The survey will be conducted by the RV Celtic Explorer (Callsign EIGB), which will display all appropriate lights and signal during the survey and will also be listening on VHF Channel 16. She will be towing a high headline GOV 36/47 demersal trawl during fishing operations.

The Marine Institute requests commercial fishermen to keep a 2-nautical-mile area around the tow points clear of all commercial gear during the period/. While there is no statutory provision for the loss of fishing gear, the Marine Institute will make every effort to avoid gear adequately marked, according to legislation, that may have drifted into the notified areas.

In the event that a fisherman has static gear or other obstructions within 2nm of the points listed in Marine Notice No 43 of 2015, it is the responsibility of the owner to notify the survey managers or vessel directly using the contact information provided.

Full details of the survey area are available as a PDF to read download HERE.