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The Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Crackdown announced on mass fishing of sprat in bid to protect whales and birds
A BAN ON the mass fishing of sprat by large trawlers in inshore areas starting in October next year has been announced by the government. The move has been taken following long campaigning by environmental and fisheries groups in a bid to protect whales, who rely on the small but protein-rich fish. Previous attempts to restrict overfishing by large trawlers were overturned in the High Court in 2020 due to a lack of consultation with the industry. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan said the new measures are a 'clear signal that Ireland is serious' about protecting marine life. However, the move has criticised by the Social Democrats as coming 'years too late' and called for a full ban on sprat fishing. How the restrictions will work From 1 October next year, trawling activity by fishing vessels over 18 metres in length in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines will be prohibited. A limited total allowable catch of 2,000 tonnes of sprat will be permitted for vessels over 18 metres length overall inside the six nautical mile zone and inside baselines from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2026 only. Trawlers that are over 8 metres in length which are seeking to fish for sprat during that period will require an authorisation to do so. Advertisement The move was announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which said it carried out a wide consultation and received scientific and economic analysis from the Marine Institute and seafood industry group Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries Timmy Dooley announced the plan to place the restrictions on trawling activity by large vessels. Heydon brought a memo to Cabinet this morning to inform them of the decision. He said: 'This is a matter of significant public interest, and the decision has been preceded by an extensive public consultation which has been considered carefully. I am satisfied that this is the right thing to do for the preservation of sustainable fisheries in our inshore waters.' O'Sullivan, the junior minister for nature, heritage and biodiversity, said the 'de facto ban' was a step forward for Ireland's marine environment and for the future of wildlife. Industrial trawling of sprat in Ireland's inshore waters to be banned. This decision reflects the valuable input and advocacy of coastal communities throughout the consultation process. — Christopher O'Sullivan TD (@COSullivanTD) July 22, 2025 'For too long, industrial overfishing of sprat has threatened the very foundation of our marine food web, putting whales, dolphins, and our much-loved seabirds like puffins and kittiwakes at risk,' the Cork South-West TD said. 'The measures agreed today, which amount to a de facto ban on industrial trawling of sprat in our inshore waters, are the result of an extensive public consultation process and careful consideration of the best available scientific advice.' Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore said that the move was a 'half measure' which had come too late to help preserve the sprat and limit the consequences of their overfishing on whales and other creatures. 'It's good to see the government finally acknowledge the damage being done to sprat stocks,' Whitmore said, 'But after seven years of dithering, we need more than incremental steps – we need ambition, urgency, and a full moratorium until we have the science and safeguards to manage this fishery responsibly.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
26-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Cork Councillors want roadside hedges cut earlier
The Wildlife Act bans the cutting of hedges between March 1 and August 31 to protect wild birds during the nesting and breeding season. However, there are a few exemptions such as when vegetation needs to be cut for road safety reasons. But this week's Cork County Council meeting heard that landowners are wary of using the exemption for fear of being fined. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Finbarr Harrington proposed that the closed season be pulled back by a month so that hedge-cutting can commence on August 1 instead of September 1. He said the current system isn't working for either road safety or biodiversity. 'If we look at what's happening at the moment is that we're prevented from cutting roadside hedges or verges from March to September. And then they grow onto the road and lorries and buses are contacting us every day. Mirrors are getting broken, windows are getting broken by branches of trees,' the West Cork Councillor said. He said that when the local authority contacts landowners about overgrown hedges, 'they panic a bit. And then they contact their local contractor and they ask them to go down and cut a stretch of road that they own by the road. "And they tell them, cut it well back because they can't cut it again until next September. And the contractor goes down and literally hacks the hedge half to death. So, you have a part of the hedging that's dead basically.' Cllr Harrington said that he was recently contacted by a bus operator whose bus was damaged when a tree hit the mirror, which then smashed the window. The damage cost 4,500 euros to repair. Several Councillors echoed Cllr Harrington's views. 'I'm getting phone calls all the time from lorry drivers, tractor drivers, with mirrors being knocked off of tractors, knocked off of lorries. It's causing a lot of distress to people who are trying to stay in business,' Cllr Bernard Moynihan said. 'We have an awful lot of secondary and very minor roads, which are quite dangerous. When the hedges close in, some roads become single lane. There's no room to pass. And if you can't get those hedges cut, there's accidents waiting to happen. And I know it's important, the birds nesting and all that, but I think human lives are more important,' said Cllr Pat Hayes. Cllr William O'Leary said that in some places school bus routes can't travel on certain roads because of the level of vegetation while Cllr John Collins said that in his area a recent three-car collision was caused by overgrown grass verges impeding visibility. ADVERTISEMENT Cllr Harrington called on the Council to write to the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, to ask for a pilot scheme in Cork to trial his proposal of earlier hedge-cutting. 'If we maintain our hedges properly, it's better for biodiversity and it's also better for road users,' he said.
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Meath County Council awarded over €100,000 for biodiversity projects
The announcement was made by Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government James Browne, TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan, TD. The funding comes under the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF), a scheme established in 2018 to help local authorities implement biodiversity actions at local and regional levels. Since its creation, almost €11m has been distributed through the fund. Minister James Browne said: 'Local authorities are playing an essential role in protecting our biodiversity and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan recognises that role. Through these projects, each local authority will make a unique impact on their local biodiversity, but is also part of a bigger picture across the country. He added: 'I welcome the focus on partnership, research and best practice. I wish all of those involved the very best with the work and look forward to hearing more as they progress.' Minister Christopher O'Sullivan highlighted the range of work being undertaken: 'I'm really impressed with the diversity of projects funded this year. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund will enable every local authority around the country to enhance their actions on biodiversity, including research and recording of our unique species, from the Irish Mayfly, Woodland Bats to barn owls, and management of precious habitats such as meadows and wetlands.' Meanwhile Ben Malone, Biodiversity Officer with Meath County Council, also welcomed the support. He said: 'We're delighted with the support received this year through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund. Our projects in Meath build on the success of previous years, supporting people to create habitats for wildlife, managing our own lands better for biodiversity, addressing urgent conservation needs and adding to our state of knowledge on biodiversity in the county.' Among the projects funded in Meath this year are: County Meath Wetland Survey – Phase 1 County Meath Tree, Woodland and Hedgerow Survey – Phase 1 Invasive Alien Species Project – Quagga Mussel in Lough Sheelin Invasive Alien Species Project – Common Cordgrass in the Nanny Estuary Recording Irish Mayfly – establishing conservation status The Hare's Corner – assisting landowners to create new habitats for biodiversity Commons of Lloyd Biodiversity and Conservation Agriculture Project Continuation of Barn Owl Conservation Project Development of the Woodland Bat Monitoring Scheme Community biodiversity initiatives and outreach support This funding is said to support the objectives of Ireland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan, Actions For Nature, launched in January 2024. For the first time, the plan has been published on a statutory basis under the Wildlife Amendment Act 2023, requiring public bodies to integrate biodiversity into their policies and report on progress. By 2050, the plan envisions that 'Biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
