No claws for concern
With the crab and lobster fishing season open, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (the sea-fisheries regulator) is reminding recreational fishers in Mayo to familiarise themselves with the regulations that are in place to protect marine resources and ecosystems along the coast. They are also reminding the public to purchase fish from legitimate sources only.
The EU and national legislation, which sets out what can and cannot be caught, is part of a range of conservation measures to support the sustainability of fishery resources to ensure the viability of the commercial in-shore fishing industry, upon which the economy of many coastal communities along the Mayo coast depend.
According to legislation, non-commercial or recreational fishers who do not have a fishing licence can:
- Only fish for lobster and crab (edible/brown crab, spider crab and velvet crab) from May 1 to September 30 every year
- Only fish up to six pots (i.e. a maximum of six pots associated with that boat either in the water or on board at any time)
- Only retain up to five crabs and one lobster daily
- Only use the fish for their own consumption or that of their immediate family
- Not sell or offer for sale any catches (a commercial fishing licence is needed to sell fish)
- Only land shellfish above the required size limits (the minimum size of crab in Irish waters is 140mm for brown/edible crab, spider crab 120mm and velvet crab 65mm, while lobsters must be a minimum size of 87mm and maximum size 127mm (carapace length); anyone who catches a crab or lobster outside these size limits must return it immediately to the sea)
- Never retain on board lobsters that have been V-notched or have mutilated tails
- Never catch crabs or lobster by means of skin-diving, including using apparatus of any kind which enables a person to breathe under water
Dr. Susan Steele, chair of the SFPA, is urging compliance with the regulations, saying: “We are very fortunate in the stocks and marine ecosystems that we have around the Irish coast. Everyone can play their part in conserving them by fishing legally. The allowance for recreational fishing is limited as such catches are intended solely for the consumption of the person who caught them and their family. And when purchasing crabs or lobster, we ask that people buy from commercial fishers only and, if ever in doubt, to check that the fish they are buying are the legal size.
“The regulations are in place to ensure the viability of our fisheries into the future, which will ultimately be to the benefit of everyone, including recreational fishers. It is important that people who intend to recreationally fish, either for their first time or with years of experience, comply with these regulations which are in place to not only protect the sustainability of the species, but also to ensure the seafood which is caught is safe to eat.”
Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers continue to be available to assist recreational fishers and members of the public who have questions or concerns and are contactable on their mobile numbers and by email.
The SFPA can be reached at its usual main landline numbers or by email at sfpa_info@sfpa.ie. Dr. Steele also urged anyone who suspected illegal fishing or activity that could compromise food safety to contact the regulator directly or by calling the SFPA confidential telephone line at 1890 76 76 76.
*Picture above shows a lobster being measured.