Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine), today launched the 2009-2013 National Lobster V-Notching Scheme in Carrigaholt, County Clare.Co-ordinated by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) - the Irish Sea Fisheries Board - the new Scheme follows on from the very successful 2002-2008 scheme which saw approximately 70,000 Lobsters v-notched through a BIM-industry partnership, significantly increasing the spawning potential of the lobster population nationally.
Lobster 'v-notching' is one of the most important conservation measures for the Irish Lobster stock. It involves cutting a small notch in one of the flaps on the tail of a female lobster to create an easily recognised mark that remains for up to two moults. When a lobster is marked in this way, it is illegal to land, possess or sell it and it must be returned live to the sea. This ensures the lobster has an opportunity to breed at least once before the notch grows out, as female lobsters generally breed and moult in alternate years. The v-notch is not permanent and after about 4 to 6 years it disappears completely. At this point, the lobster can, once again, be legally taken and offered for sale. Or it can be re-notched and returned to the sea.
The scheme was introduced to Ireland by BIM in the 1990's and it allows for lobster fishermen and co-ops to receive grant aid of 50% (individual) to 55% (Co-op) of the market price of a lobster if it is v-notched by a BIM officer and returned alive to the sea by the fisherman in order to spawn. In areas with strong V-notching programmes, the scheme has had a hugely significant impact on the lobster stock, leading to an increase in catch rates of approximately 40% in coastal areas such as Clare and Wexford. In addition, an increase in the number of juvenile lobsters could also be demonstrated as a result of v-notching in these areas.
Speaking at the launch of the new Scheme, Minister Killeen stated: "I am delighted to be here today to launch the 2009 National Lobster V-Notching Scheme. The success of the previous scheme clearly demonstrates the industry's commitment to working with BIM to secure the future of this vital inshore fishery and I am confident that the 2009 scheme will allow BIM and Industry to continue to build on this success to protect and manage stocks effectively for the years ahead. This scheme is a significant step forward in drawing together the necessary elements in managing one of our most valuable inshore fisheries, and it is to be welcomed, particularly for County Clare where 14,000 lobsters were v-notched since 2002 and where nearly 80% of those in the industry are engaged in the scheme".
The 2002-2008 scheme saw over 40,000 lobsters being tagged and biological data recorded for each one. Through industry co-operation, tagged lobster recaptures were recorded and various biological parameters re-measured, particularly size, which means that unprecedented data is now available on lobster growth and reproduction. This has become one of the largest scale data collection exercises carried out for any inshore fishery globally. It is hoped that this data will be continually improved through further sampling and extending the geographic range of 2009 Scheme.
BIM CEO Jason Whooley expressed his optimism regarding the potential of the 2009 Scheme: "Within a six year period the National Lobster V-Notching Scheme made a significant contribution to stabilising the lobster spawning stock. This simple but effective measure demonstrates the commitment of industry to mobilise at a local level to implement a Technical Conservation Measure while at the same time facilitating the collection of basic biological data and fisheries data required for management nationally. We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with industry on this next phase of the scheme to ensure the long term viability of this vital inshore fishery is protected".
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BIM is interested in receiving applications from lobster fishermen nationwide to partake in the scheme. For further information, please contact BIM on 01-2144100 or e-mail info@bim.ie.
