Land: Ireland

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and

Science@Sea ship-based training courses returns in early April on board

Irish marine researchers can now apply for fully funded ship time in 2011 on a range of 18 ocean going and inshore research vessels under a new project called EUROFLEETS which has been launched and funded by the European Union. expressions of interest need to be received by the 15th January 2010, with the call for full proposals opening on 1st March 2010.

Tony Killeen TD Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today met EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Berg on EU / Norway Fisheries negotiations. Minister Killeen sought an urgent meeting when it became clear last Friday that developments at the formal EU / Norway negotiations which were taking place in Brussels were likely to seriously impact on Ireland.

Dr Paul Connolly of the Marine Institute has been elected the new First Vice President of ICES.

Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, attended the EU Fisheries Council and set down a strong marker to make clear that the important mackerel fishery is protected and that Ireland’s share of the fishery is maintained.

Oyster mortality reported in Irish and French oyster production areas over the summer has been resolved and trade has been re-established.

Tony Killeen, Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is today commencing a series of meetings on a regional basis with fishermen on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This consultation will involve Dr Noel Cawley, who was appointed by Minister of State Killeen last May to oversee consultations with stakeholders on the CFP reform.

he north-east Atlantic RSW mackerel fishery managed by the Irish Pelagic Sustainability Group (IPSG) is the first Irish fishery to be awarded certification to the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) environmental standard for well-managed and sustainable fisheries.

The Irish Pelagic Sustainability Group (IPSG) western mackerel pelagic trawl fishery has entered MSC assessment status.