Ireland brown crab - pot/trap

Reasons for applying for an extension to the FIP end date are given below. • The overall situation in the fishery has changed a lot since the FIP was established and particularly since 2013 when the pre-assessment report was done. • A new project has been developed and is coordinated by the FIP aimed at reducing fishing mortality in crab by developing a replacement bait in the whelk fishery. This project is state funded and is being conducted by an Irish university marine research centre. The project will run for 18 to 24 months. • The science model for the crab stock has changed and is now moving towards an MSY type approach. This has reduced the relevance of some of the workplan elements - such as the exploration of CPUE as a HCR. • A fresh pre-assessment report is needed as the findings of the previous one are outdated. • The existing FIP has been discussing the need for management changes both internally and with government scientists for a number of years. Following submissions by the scientists responsible for Crab stock assessment to the relevant government department a public consultation on management changes should begin within the next few months. An extension to the FIP timeline, would provide time for the FIP to respond positively to these proposals and to emphasise the need for better management from a sustainability and market perspective. • The management situation in the fishery is further complicated by management changes in our nearest neighbour, the UK, due to Brexit. There are very significant overlaps in crab fishing areas and markets between Ireland and the UK. • Covid has had an impact on the FIPs progress in implementing workplan actions over the past 2 years. A revised workplan incorporating some of the issues above, in particular a new pre-assessment report, will be submitted for the next review in September 2022.