The Minister said, "The present prohibition on landing crawfish below 110mm in length is presenting difficulties for Irish inshore fishermen, as smaller crawfish are preferred by continental European markets.
"A wide range of technical conservation measures are in use internationally and I want to see if we can find a management strategy for this species that will allow Irish inshore fishermen to compete in international markets, while stabilising the stock and ensuring its long term sustainability and bringing to an end undesirable by-catch".
The review is to be conducted by BIM, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and in consultation with crawfish fishermen and their representatives.
Call For Crawfish Conservation Review
IRELAND - The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD has asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board, to conduct a review of the present conservation measures for crawfish and to bring forward recommendations by 29 July 2011.
