Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore visited the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) stand at the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday, 30th June to hear how the BIM Lobster conservation programme has protected lobster stocks in Galway and key inshore fisheries around our coast.
Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore visited the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) stand at the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday, 30th June to hear how the BIM Lobster conservation programme has protected lobster stocks in Galway and key inshore fisheries around our coast.
Pictured V-Notching a lobster at the BIM stand at the Volvo Ocean Race at the weekend are Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore and Patrick Oliver, local fisherman and Chairman of the Galway Bay Inshore Fishermen’s Organisation.
BIM are taking part in the event along with other marine state agencies in the ‘Ocean Wealth Showcase’ to promote Ireland’s rich marine resource. In order to inform visitors of the importance of conserving our fisheries stocks and in particular the inshore fisheries sector; the agency organised lobster v-notching demonstrations at the event in partnership with local fisherman and Chairman of the Galway Bay Inshore Fisherman’s Organisation, Patrick Oliver.
The BIM Lobster V-Notching programme commenced in 1994 and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore was responsible for introducing the original legislation during his time as Marine Minister. BIM work closely with fishermen around our coast to implement the programme which consists of fishermen manually removing a simple V-shaped notch from the tail of a female lobster when caught. This painless marking enables the female to breed as once caught, it is returned to sea.
The co-operation and dedication of Ireland’s inshore fishermen involved in the programme has already contributed significantly to the sustainability of Ireland’s lobster stocks with 15,000 lobsters v-notched in 2010.
