Inshore fishermen say that new EU regulations on spurdog make the re-opened fishery less worthwhile.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published regulations for the commercial fishery of spurdog in north-western waters, noting that it had been a prohibited species for five years.
Ireland has been allocated a quota of 1,871 tonnes across a number of sea areas for this year.
“Spurdog is judged to have recovered sufficiently to support commercial landings again this year and next year,” the SFPA says.
EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki outlawed the catching of sharks, including spurdogs
The fishery had been closed by former EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki when she outlawed the catching of sharks, including spurdogs.
The SFPA cites advice by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) that spurdog can “support a sustainable fishery”.
The SFPA states that the maximum conservation reference size for spurdog is 100cm, and this is “to protect stocks of mature females and the breeding stock, which are vital for the species' recovery and future sustainability”.
It says spurdog caught over 100cm in size must be “promptly returned to the sea in a way that does not harm the individual”, and must be recorded in logbooks.
The SFPA says that the landing obligation applies to spurdog of 100cm or less in length, and these fish must be “retained, recorded and landed”.
NIFA director John Mennary pointed out that gillnetters can only select larger fish, which means most spurdog caught by this method may have to be discarded.
“We were always told to let the young fish grow, and we don’t want to be landing the small fish,” he said.
“So this is going to be an issue for what was once a good fishery for inshore boats,” he said. Markets are also an issue, he said.
The main market for Irish-caught spurdog had been for processors supplying the fish and chipper trade in Britain, before the fishery closed for conservation reasons.
“These factories are closed now, and markets are more challenging,” Menary said.
“We have asked Bord Bia if it can help to develop new markets,” he said. “There may be potential for exporting to Germany for smoked products.”
