Ministers Heydon and Dooley release update on trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, TD, today announced their intention to place certain restrictions on trawling activity by large vessels inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. Minister Heydon brought a memo to Cabinet this morning to inform them of the decision.
From 1st October 2026, trawling activity (that is the operating of trawl or seine nets) by fishing vessels over 18 metres in length overall 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. Over 18 metre vessels fishing for sprat during that period will require an authorisation to do so.
Referring to the decision, Minister Heydon 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.”
Minister Dooley said “I am mindful of the opportunity that these measures will provide for our important small-scale fishermen, and I am confident that it will help to re-establish links between local fish resources, local fleets and local economies. This Government has committed to maintaining support for our inshore sector in the Programme for Government and this decision helps to deliver on that promise. I also believe that these actions may provide wider ecosystem benefits, including for essential fish habitats.”
He continued “There is a compelling case for excluding trawling by large vessels in coastal waters inside six nautical miles and the public have spoken. All submissions received within the consultation period were analysed by my Department, and 94% of those submissions wanted to see a new ban on trawling activity by vessels over 18 metres in the waters inside six nautical miles.”
Scientific and economic analysis on the matter was provided by the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara respectively and published alongside the public consultation paper. Additional up-to-date analysis was compiled by these agencies more recently and will also be published on the Department’s website.
The 2025 Programme for Government commits to ‘Maintain support for the inshore fishing sector’ and ‘promote the sustainability of fish stocks, while ensuring sufficient supply of species to allow fishermen into the future derive a fair return.’
Minister Dooley continued “78% of submissions chose for an introduction of measures to take place in full effect once a decision has been made and 7% on a phased basis. I am also acutely aware that fishing vessel owners will have planned their fishing activities for the rest of the year and indeed into 2026 also. For that reason, a transition period of one year for all vessels over 18 metres will be permitted from 1st October. This will allow a period of adjustment for all affected vessels who have planned fishing activities inside the six nautical mile zone during the period. I am asking BIM to offer affected vessel owners technical assistance to adjust their trawling activity away from the six nautical mile zone by the end of the transition process.”
Minister Dooley concluded “I also see this new policy as an important reflection of Ireland’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 14, life below water, Target 14. B of which relates to access for small-scale artisanal fishermen to marine resources. Our inshore fleet is a vital part of our coastal and often rural communities and depends on fishing resources within the six nautical mile zone. To reiterate, this decision helps deliver on the Programme for Government commitments and supports families in these coastal communities.”
Background
Initial Ban Announcement (2018)
In December 2018, the Irish government, under then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed, announced a ban on trawling by fishing vessels over 18 meters in length inside the 6nm zone and the baselines. The decision followed a public consultation process that garnered over 900 responses, with the majority supporting the restriction. Environmental organizations, such as the Irish Wildlife Trust, hailed the move as a significant step towards marine conservation, describing it as “the most positive thing that ever happened for conservation in the ocean”.
Legal Challenges and Court Rulings
Despite the government’s announcement, the implementation of the ban faced legal challenges. In 2021, the Court of Appeal ruled that the policy directive introducing the ban was invalid and of no legal effect. This decision was based on procedural grounds, stating that the Minister did not have the authority to impose such a ban without proper legislative backing.
Following the court’s decision, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine notified stakeholders that the ban on large trawlers (>18m) inside Ireland’s inshore waters was lifted, allowing these vessels to resume trawling with immediate effect.
Public Consultation on Revised Measures (2024)
In response to ongoing concerns over the environmental impacts of trawling in inshore waters, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched a public consultation in early 2024 to gather views on options for restricting trawling activity inside the 6nm zone and the baselines. The consultation presented several options:
- Option 1: No change to the status quo.
- Option 2: All sea-fishing boats excluded from pair trawling inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines.
- Option 3: All sea-fishing boats over 18m in length overall excluded from trawling inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines.
- Option 4: All sea-fishing boats over 15m in length overall excluded from trawling inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines .
Environmental organizations advocated for a complete ban on pair trawling within the 6nm zone, citing concerns over the disruption of marine food webs and the risk of bycatch, including marine megafauna like seals and dolphins .
The proposed ban has elicited a range of responses from various stakeholders. Environmental groups have largely supported the restrictions, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. Conversely, some members of the fishing community expressed concerns about the economic implications of such a ban, particularly for larger vessels that rely on access to inshore waters for certain fish stocks .
Effects on the Fishing Industry
The proposed ban has raised concerns within the fishing industry, particularly among operators of larger vessels. Access to inshore waters is crucial for targeting certain fish stocks, and restrictions could necessitate changes in fishing practices or the displacement of fishing efforts to other areas. Such shifts could have economic implications, including increased operational costs and potential conflicts with other marine users.
Conversely, proponents of the ban argued that protecting inshore waters from large-scale trawling will benefit small-scale, artisanal fisheries.
