Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue came to Galway’s Marine Institute this week to receive the 2022 Fish Stock Book.
This annual report provides the most up to date information on the status of 75 key fish stocks of interest to Ireland.
This is the 30th annual Fish Stock Book produced by the Marine Institute, and will be used by decision makers setting fishing quotas for 2023.
Minister McConalogue said, “The 2022 Stock Book is showing a continued gradual increase in the number of sustainably fished stocks.”
“This progress is giving assurance that our policy at national and EU level is making progress on delivering sustainability.”
“Stocks of haddock, monkfish, megrim, tuna, and some of the Dublin Bay Prawn stocks have increased in recent years and continue to be sustainably fished.”
“There are some stocks such as cod, herring and whiting that are overfished and work will continue to set management measures that will support the rebuilding of these important stocks.”
The data gathered by Marine Institute scientists will also be important in negotiations with third party countries, including the UK.
In 2021, Irish vessels landed approximately 182,000 tonnes of wild caught fish worth more than €265 million at first sale.
Producing the Fish Stock Book saw the Marine Institute carrying out multiple marine surveys, travelling approximately 23,776 nautical miles over 200 days.
Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute said, “The scientific advice and services provided by our scientists to stakeholders are essential to supporting a sustainable ocean economy, protecting and managing our marine ecosystems and meeting EU obligations.”
He added that this work, together with international partners, is essential for supporting coastal communities.
Minister McConalogue was presented with the Stock Book during his visit to the Institute on Friday.
While there, he was also updated on many other projects underway at the Marine Institute, such as Seabed Mapping – INFOMAR project, climate observation, and seafood safety monitoring.
