77. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will direct the Marine Institute to undertake a formal stock assessment of sprat, with a view to introducing a total allowable catch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36041/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Will the Minister direct the Marine Institute to undertake a formal stock assessment of sprat, with a view to identifying a total allowable catch, and will he make a statement on the matter?

Sentiment score: 0.03

I thank the Minister of State. Sprat is not economically important. It is quite a low-value fishery but it is ecologically valuable. Everything feeds on it, from fish, whales and dolphins to seabirds. If we do not have sprat, we do not have those other species. Unfortunately, we are in a situation where, because it has not been deemed economically valuable enough, we do not have stock assessments. There has not been a TAC conducted on sprat. That is now causing huge problems because we do not have sufficient data to manage this important species. While I know the Marine Institute has been doing some analysis, it is not sufficient. This is a short-lived species, living for only four years. If there is major overfishing, which it is indicated is happening in some areas, that stock will collapse in the areas in question. It is really important that we have the data available so we can make decisions, not just fisheries decisions but ecological and environmental decisions.

Sentiment score: 0.07

I ask the Minister of State to provide some information on the point that process has reached. I am interested in hearing when a decision will be made. The reality is that, in the absence of data, the fundamental approach to take with any stock is the precautionary principle. That essentially means working on a risk-averse basis. We are not doing that at the moment, and it is important we do. Depending on the outcome of the Minister of State's consultation and decision, I am very concerned that even with that decision in place, we do not know enough about this stock to ensure sustainable fishing of it. Would he consider a moratorium on the entire stock on a short-term basis until we have the data and evidence to show we can protect the species for future fishing, and not just from an ecological perspective? If sprat are not there, other pelagic fish will not be available either.

Sentiment score: 0.18