Applications for Oyster Dredge Licences 2012Fishermen wishing to apply for Oyster dredge licences for the 2012 season must apply on the official form to the relevant River Basin District Office on or before the 31st December 2011. The official procedure and application form is available for download here: This new process has become necessary due to the fact that there are many SAC’s and Natura 2000 sites in Ireland that also contain oyster fisheries. As the exploitation of these fisheries will requires dredging, appropriate assessment of these fishing activities will have to be undertaken. In the absence of appropriate assessments, against predetermined conservation objectives, it is necessary to ensure that no intensification of the fishing activity for oysters be permitted. This has been further strengthened by the issuing of a direction from the Minister in accordance with Section 278 (5)(a) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 as amended and the Habitats Directive as transposed by European Commission (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI 477/ 2011). As yet no appropriate assessment of the potential impact of the wild oyster fishery has been undertaken for most locations within SAC’s and, in the absence of the necessary advice, Inland Fisheries Ireland must ensure that no intensification of the oyster fishery takes place and as a consequence must limit the number of licences that can be issued for 2012. Applicants must complete the application form in full and ensure that any relevant information that will assist Inland Fisheries Ireland in assessing their application is submitted with the application; the relevant licence fee for 2012 is €89 which must also accompany the application – unsuccessful applicants will have their fee refunded in full. Further information on process is available with the application form. Application forms are also available from: Inland Fisheries Ireland, Telephone: (091) 563118 |
Procedure for Oyster Dredge Licence Applications (