Regional Development Officers – Inshore Fisheries

Funding

BIM has a range of funding schemes available to the Fisheries sector. These include Fleet Safety, Inshore Fisheries Conservation, V – Notching, Fisheries Improvement Schemes (FIPs) and Fisheries Local Action Group Schemes (FLAGs). 

Fisheries Funding

Licensing

We can help you in relation to vessel registration and licensing queries, through our team of Regional Development Officers.

Environmental

Assessment of fishing activity in Natura 2000 sites

Fishing activity within Natura 2000 sites must be assessed to ensure that it is not adversely affecting the site.

• If you fish in one of these areas we will help you prepare for the assessment process, which entails quantifying the level and nature of fishing activity.
• If the area is one of the small numbers of Natura 2000 sites requiring management measures, we will work with you to develop these measures.
• Fisheries that pose the greatest potential risk to these sites are given priority for assessment.

One example of the process can be read here about re-opening of the cockle fisheries in Dundalk bay following a Natura 2000 site assessment.

Conservation

The Lobster V-Notching Conservation Method

The primary intention of the lobster V-notching method is to improve the sustainability of Ireland’s lobster stocks by protecting female lobsters so that they can breed a number of times.

The method has been in use in the USA (Maine) since the 1940s and in Ireland since 1994. In Ireland, circa 32,000 lobsters with a weight of some 27,000kg were released to enhance the breeding stock in 2018.

How does Lobster V-notching work?

V-notching involves manually removing a simple, V-shaped notch from the tail of a female lobster when first caught.

How can I participate in a Lobster V-notching programme?

The V-notching programme includes grant aid to approved groups (and in exceptional cases, individuals) that want to implement local lobster V-notching programmes.

All V-notching must be completed by the 14th of October unless specific arrangements have been made with your local BIM Officer

Technical

Develop a live holding facility for shellfish

Having the capacity to hold live shellfish such as lobsters, crabs and shrimps allows fishermen and shellfish buyers greater independence in how they buy and sell catches.

Our Regional Developments officers offer advice on the benefits, design, installation, maintenance and operation of live holding facilities for your business.