Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue has launched a public consultation on fishing with trawls inside the six-nautical-mile zone and the baselines.

Speaking on Tuesday (13 February), Minister McConalogue said: “Five years ago, in December 2018, a transition to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six-nautical-mile zone and the baselines, was announced following a previous public consultation.

“This ban had a strong support base but was overturned following legal challenge. In view of changes in activity and issues concerning the marine space since then, I think it is important that this issue is reviewed and reflected on in an open, inclusive process.”

As part of the public consultation, a consultation paper setting out potential options and providing information on issues to consider is being made available.

Up-to-date scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, respectively, on trawling in the waters inside the six-nautical-mile zone is also being published.

The minister added: “I am conscious of the dependence of our inshore fleet, compared to larger vessels, on fishing resources within the six-nautical-mile zone. Other issues that need to be reflected on include balancing the management of our fisheries with the needs of the marine ecosystem but also the changes that have come with Brexit, the energy crisis and the climate crisis.

“The policy context is greatly changed from 2018. I encourage all interested parties to read the consultation documents and to reflect on those in making any submissions.”

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of all interested parties on trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone and baselines. All interested parties are encouraged to make a submission.

Details relating to the public consultation and on how to make a submission can be found on Gov.ie. The consultation period closes at 1pm on Friday 12 April.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is seeking submissions in relation to a proposal to restrict the commercial salmon draft net season on the Loughros Estuary (Owenea/Owentocker) in Co Donegal in 2024 to fishing between 1 and 21 July.

The proposed changes, along the lines of previous consultations, are to reflect the limited overall salmon quota available for 2024 and the number of commercial draft nets available.

An overall surplus of 304 salmon has been advised for 2024 to be divided between the commercial draft net and recreational angling sectors.

The commercial draft net season for the fishery normally opens on 12 May and closes on 31 July.

A copy of the draft proposed bye-law is available for public inspection at the IFI offices in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal. It can also be downloaded from the IFI website.

Any person wishing to make observations on the proposed regulation may make submissions before 5pm on Thursday 29 February, either by e-mail to [email protected] or to the address below:

Loughros Estuary Commercial Salmon Draft Net Fishing Season 2024 Public Consultation,
Inland Fisheries Ireland,
Station Road,
Ballyshannon,
Co Donegal F94 WV76

Waterways Ireland is inviting members of the public and interested parties to have their say on proposed revisions to the Shannon Navigation and canals bye-laws in a second phase of consultation.

The consultation covers the Shannon Navigation (including the Shannon-Erne Waterway), Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation, and submissions in Phase 2 are open until Monday 26 February.

Following the initial consultation period, which concluded in late October 2023, Waterways Ireland says it reviewed all the submissions and has published a Phase 1 consultation report.

Based upon the feedback received in the first phase, a set of amended draft bye-laws has been issued and can be found on waterwaysireland.org as well as in local libraries along the waterways corridors.

Members of the public can also attend any of two information evenings, taking place on Tuesday 6 February at the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone (6pm-9pm) and Wednesday 7 February at Mullingar Park Hotel (6pm-9pm).

Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, by email to [email protected] and by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

Following this consultation, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it make any necessary changes to the bye-laws following a review of submissions, with the next stage being ministerial approval.

Members of the public are being invited to suggest names for the new Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway city, as the Connacht Tribune reports.

Built over the course of a year, the cycling and pedestrian bridge across the River Corrib was opened last summer and is the first such span of the waterway in over three decades.

The application form is available from the Galway City Council website and submissions will be open until 6pm on Sunday 11 February.

Plans for additional bus layover spaces at Dun Laoghaire DART Station have have drawn criticism from the harbour’s 800-plus-berth marina.

In a letter to berth holders, Dun Laoghaire Marina says the proposed change, which would see a number of car parking spots on Harbour Road re-designated for bus use, “will mean a further loss of car parking within the harbour and one which directly impacts marina visitors”.

The marina company has already made a submission to the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council under the open public consultation “as we are greatly concerned with the 55% reduction in car parking around the marina over the last decade”.

It added: “While we support any additional public transport connections within the harbour (or locally), the continued reduction in car parking spaces which serve an 820-berth marina cannot go unchallenged.”

Full details on the new bus stand layout are available on the DLRCoCo website and submissions are open until to Friday 12 January 2024.

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) sets out its strategic programme every three years and is currently preparing its Statement of Strategy for 2024–2026.

This will focus on what the SFPA wants to achieve during this period to ensure effective regulation of the shared marine resources surrounding Ireland.

As part of the process of developing the strategy (the current version can be viewed HERE), the SFPA says it welcomes the contribution of members of the public and stakeholders, especially those who fall within the its regulatory remit.

Views are sought specifically in relation to the following questions:

• What matters should be considered in developing the SFPA mission, vision, and value statements?
• What metrics should the SFPA use to measure performance and monitor achievement of strategic goals?

The SFPA says it will be grateful to receive your response together with any more general views you may have on its strategic direction and how it can best deliver on its remit.

Responses should be submitted by email to [email protected] by Thursday 21 December.

The public consultation has now commenced for the Loughs Agency’s draft Climate Action Plan, which outlines how the organisation aims to reduce its carbon emissions in the coming years.

Responses are welcome for the next 12 weeks, with the consultation period closing on 31 January 2024.

The draft Climate Action Plan aims to reflect the leadership role the organisation wishes to take while supporting a modal shift away from high-carbon energy and implementing climate-resilient solutions for both the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Loughs Agency is holding two information sessions this week with staff present at both sessions to answer questions on the draft plan while also assisting with the feedback process.

Alternatively, those interested in having their say on these strategy documents can do so in their own time by reading the draft plan and completing the online survey.

Boat owners and watersport enthusiasts have expressed concern over proposed new bye-laws for Ireland’s inland waterways, according to RTÉ News.

Afloat.ie previously reported on the public consultation over the proposed bye-law changes for the canals and Shannon Navigation, which closes today (Friday 27 October).

Waterways Ireland says over 600 submissions have been received in this first phase of consultation.

“We’ve had very good feedback from the public and from stakeholders,” said Paddy Harkin, inspector of navigation at Waterways Ireland. "We want to have bye-laws that will be fit for purpose for the next 20 to 30 years.”

But there are fears in some corners over such proposals as changes to mooring times and rules, as well as a €200 registration fee for businesses operating on the Shannon.

RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.

Waterways Ireland has extended the public consultation on proposed bye-law changes for the canals and Shannon Navigation, with a second phase of public consultation also added to facilitate further engagement with the public and stakeholders.

The initial consultation period (phase 1) has been extended to Friday 27 October, having originally been due to close this past Monday 2 October.

Following the initial consultation period, Waterways Ireland will review all submissions during November and December 2023. It says it will then “endeavour to proactively and equitably deal with legitimate matters of concern raised during the initial public consultation process, publish its consultation document and re-issue amended draft bye-laws”.

Phase 2 of the public consultation will then run from 15 January to 26 February next year. This phase of the process will offer all stakeholders an opportunity to consider the modifications to the proposed revised bye0laws.

Thereafter, Waterways Ireland says it will consider all new feedback received “to best address the views of all stakeholders and ultimately, update bye-laws which are undisputedly out of date and unfit for purpose”.

It adds that there will be no changes to the existing bye-laws, permits or charges/fees until revised bye-laws are approved.

Waterways Ireland encourages everyone to read the draft bye-laws and to participate in the public consultation, and is keen to hear from anglers, boaters, cyclists, paddle-sport enthusiasts, runners, walkers, members of communities along the inland waterways and the public at large.

The draft bye-laws can be found on waterwaysireland.org and in local libraries along the waterways corridors.

Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, by email to [email protected] and by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

The proposed changes relate to the Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws (including the River Shannon, Shannon-Erne Waterway, River Finn and Ulster Canal) and Canal Bye-Laws (including the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation).

Waterways Ireland has scheduled an additional public meeting on proposed revisions to the Shannon Navigation and Canals Bye-Laws for Thursday 21 September in Mullingar.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, members of the public and interested parties are invited to have their say on the proposed changes by making a submission to the public consultation which opened on Monday 19 June.

The consultation covers the Shannon Navigation (including the Shannon-Erne Waterway), the Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation. The consultation runs until Monday 2 October 2023.

Following the series of public meetings in June and July, one more will be held at the Mullingar Park Hotel on Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath on Thursday 21 September from 6pm to 9pm, where Waterways Ireland staff will provide information on the revisions and feedback can be given.

The draft bye-laws and explanatory notes are available to download from the Waterways Ireland website, which also has a list of public libraries were members of the public can review the documents in person.

Feedback is welcome using the link on the website. Alternatively you can email your submission to [email protected] or send by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

Following the public consultation, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways will review the submissions, make any necessary changes to the bye-laws and submit them to the minister for approval to proceed.