In 2013, the Department commissioned a discussion document to seek stakeholder input on inshore fisheries management in order to inform policy development over a five-year period.
After an extensive consultation process, in March 2014, Sea Fisheries published a report on the consultation responses received.
The Minister said: "This document provides a strategic framework for inshore fisheries management for the next five years. The aim of the strategy is to extend stakeholder involvement in developing inshore fisheries policies that will support a sustainable and profitable sector whilst protecting the marine environment. It is encouraging that there is general agreement between industry and administrators on the key challenges facing our inshore fishermen and areas that need to be progressed over the next few years to deliver our shared objective.
"The strategy will see the creation of an Inshore Fisheries Partnership Group, to advise on inshore fisheries management and I look forward to effective engagement and co-operation with the industry and to constructive proposals emerging from the work of the Fisheries Taskforce."
