Fishery Natura Plan
for Dundalk Bay
for the years 2011 – 2016
This Plan was prepared by BIM on behalf of the Dundalk Bay fishing industry and submitted
to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 9 June 2011.
The Plan was finalised by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in accordance with
the European Communities (Habitats and Birds)(Sea-Fisheries) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 346 of
2009).
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
1
Site Description ..............................................................................................................4
2
Stocks: State and Trend ................................................................................................7
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.1.5
2.2
3
Cockle, Cerastoderma edule ...................................................................7
Razor Clams, Ensis siliqua ......................................................................7
Mussel, Mytilus edulis, fisheries ..............................................................7
Brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, beam trawl fishery ..........................7
Scallop, Pecten maximus, fishery .............................................................7
Static Gear Fisheries ..............................................................................................7
Fisheries ...........................................................................................................................9
3.1
Introduction ...........................................................................................................9
3.2
Mobile Gear Fisheries ...........................................................................................9
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.2.5
3.3
Cockles, Cerastoderma edule .....................................................................9
Razor Clams, Ensis siliqua .....................................................................12
Mussel, Mytilus edulis, fisheries ............................................................14
Brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, beam trawl fishery ........................14
Scallop, Pecten maximus, fishery ...........................................................15
Static Gear fisheries............................................................................................. 16
3.3.1 Pot Fisheries ............................................................................................16
3.3.2 Fixed Net Fisheries .................................................................................18
4
3.4
Hand Gatherers ...................................................................................................19
3.5
Recreational Fisheries ......................................................................................... 19
Management Measures ...............................................................................................20
4.1
Measures applicable to all vessels fishing within the boundaries of Dundalk
Bay SAC and SPA ............................................................................................... 20
4.1.1 Licensing & Registration .......................................................................20
4.1.2 Closed Areas ...........................................................................................20
4.2
Measures applicable Mobile Gear Fisheries .................................................... 20
4.2.1 Cockle fishery .........................................................................................20
4.2.2 General Regulations for the cockle dredge fishery ............................21
4.2.3 General Regulations for the razor clam (Ensis siliqua) fishery .........23
5
4.3
Measures applicable Hand Gatherers ............................................................ 244
4.4
Measures applicable Recreational Fisheries Error! Bookmark not defined.4
Review and Adaptive Management ...........................................................................25
Annex ....................................................................................................................................267
6.1
Cockle Biomass Survey .................................................................................... 287
6.1.1 Survey Design .......................................................................................287
6.1.2 Size and age ..........................................................................................297
6.1.3 Estimation of biomass ..........................................................................298
6.2
Stock productivity ............................................................................................... 30
6.3
Conservation Objectives .................................................................................... 32
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
3
Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
1
Site Description
Dundalk Bay SAC is designated for the Habitats Directive Annex I qualifying interests of i)
Mudflats and sandflats not covered by sea water at low tide and ii) Estuaries.
Dundalk Bay is a large open shallow sea bay with extensive saltmarshes and intertidal
sand/mudflats, extending some 16 km from Castletown River on the Cooley Peninsula, in the
north, to Annagassan/Salterstown in the south. The bay encompasses the mouths and estuaries
of the Rivers Dee, Glyde, Fane, Castletown and Flurry. The site contains five habitats listed
under the EU Habitats Directive, i.e. perennial vegetation of stony banks, tidal mudflats, salt
marshes, Salicornia mudflats and estuaries.
The extensive sand flats and mud flats (over 4,000 ha) have a rich fauna of bivalves, molluscs,
marine worms and crustaceans which provides the food resource for most of the wintering
waterfowl. The salt marshes, which occur in four main areas at Lurgangreen, Marsh South,
Dundalk Harbour/Ballymascanlan Bay and Bellurgan, are used by the roosting birds at high
tide. The marshes are dominated by wide expanses of Common Cord-grass (Spartina anglica),
while Sea Purslane (Halimione portulacoides), Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima)
and Glasswort (Salicornia spp.) are other common species. The herbivorous waterfowl (notably
Brent Geese and Wigeon) feed on the salt marsh grasses, as well as on areas of Zostera and green
algae on the mudflats.
Shingle beaches are particularly well represented in Dundalk Bay, occurring more or less
continuously from Salterstown to Lurgan White House in the south bay, and from Jenkinstown
to east of Giles Quay in the north bay. The shingle supports such species as Spear-leaved
Orache (Atriplex prostrata), Sea Mayweed (Matricaria maritima), Sea Beet (Beta vulgaris), Sea
Rocket (Cakile maritima) and Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum), as well as scarcer plants
including Yellow Horned-poppy (Glaucium flavum), Sea Scutch (Leymus arenarius) and the Red
Data Book species Sea-kale (Crambe maritima). At high tide, many birds roost on the shingle
beaches.
The outer part of the bay provides excellent shallow-water habitat for divers, grebes, and sea
duck. In summer, it is thought to be a major feeding area for auks from the Dublin breeding
colonies. At night the wintering Greylag and Greenland Whitefronted Geese, and Whooper
Swans, from Stabannan/Braganstown (inland from Castlebelligham) and other inland sites
roost in Dundalk Bay.
The site is internationally important for waterfowl on the basis that it regularly holds over
20,000 birds (average peak of 40,781 over five winters 1995/96-1999/00). In the same period it
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
also qualifies as a site of international importance for supporting populations of Brent Goose
(337), Black-tailed Godwit (1,067) and Bar-tailed Godwit (1,950). There is also a range of other
species which occur in numbers of national importance – these are Great Crested Grebe (302),
Greylag Goose (435), Shelduck (492), Mallard (763), Pintail (117), Red-breasted Merganser (121)
(over 500 have been recorded in August/September), Oystercatcher (8,712), Ringed Plover
(147), Golden Plover (5,967), Grey Plover (204), Lapwing (4,850), Knot (9,710), Dunlin (11,515),
Curlew (1,234) and Redshank (1,489) (all figures are average peaks over the period 1995/96 to
1999/00). Other wintering species which occur regularly in regionally important numbers
include Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan,
Wigeon, Teal, Goldeneye, Greenshank and Turnstone.
The site also supports large numbers of gulls during winter. In the 1995/96 to 1999/00 period,
the following were recorded (figures are average peaks over the five winters): Black-headed
Gull (6,630), Common Gull (551), Herring Gull (751) and Great Black-backed Gull (185).
In spring and autumn the site attracts a range of passage migrants, including Little Stint,
Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff.
This site is one of the most important wintering waterfowl sites in the country and one of the
few which regularly supports more than 20,000 waterfowl. It supports three species in numbers
of International Importance and a further 15 species in numbers of National Importance. The
populations of Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redthroated and Great Northern Divers are
of particular note as these species are listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. The site is
also a designated Ramsar site. The site is monitored annually as part of I-WeBS.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
2
Stocks: State and Trend
2.1
1 Mobile Gear Fisheries
2.1.1
Cockle, Cerastoderma edule
The status of the cockle stock has been assessed annually using a survey usually carried out in
mid summer. As natural mortality rates are relatively high and growth is rapid during summer
every effort is made to keep the time between survey and the opening of the fishery as short as
possible.
Survey results have shown that stocks have varied widely over the past 4 years with
particularly poor recruitment evident in 2010. The industry believe that this was primarily due
to adverse weather conditions over the winter of 2009/2010 with a large number of easterly
gales and high freshwater runoff increasing natural overwintering mortalities. This would
accord with the available information on factors affecting recruitment in cockle fisheries
generally.
2.1.2
Razor Clams, Ensis siliqua
The razor clam fishery located in the southern part of the site, off Dunany Point. Catches are
currently stable and the stock is considered by industry to be in a stable state.
2.1.3
Mussel, Mytilus edulis, fisheries
The mussel fishery located in subtidal channel into Dundalk port has not been fished for some
years however industry believe that the intertidal extent of the stock has increased in recent
years to a level that would sustain a fishery.
2.1.4
Brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, beam trawl fishery
The brown shrimp fishery located in subtidal areas of the SPA boundary has not been fished
in recent years due to low prices. Stocks are considered by industry to be stable.
2.1.5
Scallop, Pecten maximus, fishery
The scallop fishery located to the north east of the SPA seaward boundary has been fished
intermittently in recent years. Stocks are considered by industry to be stable.
2.2
Static Gear Fisheries
The lobster, velvet crab and pink shrimp fisheries in the bay are only prosecuted by a small
number of vessels in total. The catch rates for lobster, brown and velvet crab are considered
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
stable however that for pink shrimp would appear to be increasing. This would accord with
reports of the species expanding its range in the Irish Sea.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
3
Fisheries
3.1
Introduction
A wide variety of fisheries occur within or adjacent to the Dundalk SAC and SPA sites. These
have been divided into mobile gear fisheries and static gear fisheries for ease of consideration.
Of the mobile gear fisheries the cockle and razor clam fisheries are the most extensive and are
thus considered in some detail. The remaining mobile gear fisheries either occur outside the
site boundaries or occur only on an infrequent basis. The static gear fisheries are only
prosecuted by a small number of vessels due to the limited extent of suitable ground, typically
reef habitats, for the species fished.
Table 2 Summary of Dundalk Bay fisheries and their current status, frequency and the
likelihood of escalation of activity
F ISHERY
G EAR
S TATUS
F REQUENCY
L IKELIHOOD
OF
E SCALATION ?
Cockle
Hydraulic
Active
Annual, seasonal
Possible but controlled
Active
Year round
Possible but unlikely
dredge
Razor Clam
Hydraulic
dredge
Mussel
Mussel dredge
Inactive
Annual, seasonal
Unlikely
Brown shrimp
Beam trawl
Inactive
Annual, seasonal
Possible but unlikely
Scallop
Toothed dredge
Active
Sporadic
Possible but unlikely
irregular
Lobster, brown crab, velvet
Soft eye creels
Active
Year round
Unlikely
Shrimp pots
Active
Annual, seasonal
Possible
crab
Pink Shrimp
3.2
3.2.1
Mobile Gear Fisheries
Cockles, Cerastoderma edule
Dundalk Bay is one of the main fisheries for cockles in Ireland where it is located within the
SAC and SPA boundaries in the intertidal area as shown in Map 2. Other smaller cockle beds
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
exist around the coast but these are not regularly exploited. Previous cockle surveys in
Dundalk Bay indicate that density is generally low typically ranging from 0-20m-2 (Fahy et al.
2005). Biomass in the spring of 2004 was estimated to be 1654 tonnes (Fahy et al. 2005). The
development of the commercial dredge fishery in Dundalk, starting in 2001, was documented
by Fahy et al. (2005). In 2001, 3 vessels fished from August to December landing 9 tonnes.
Vessel numbers and landings increased until 2004 when over 20 vessels landed 201 tonnes. In
2007 approximately 30 commercial dredgers landed 668 tonnes as part of an agreed
management plan based on pre-fishery survey biomass estimates. In addition, an unknown
quantity of cockles, possibly amounting to 200 tonnes, was landed by handrakers in 2007. The
fishery was closed in late 2007 due to the failure to complete an appropriate assessment for
the fishery. While there was a sufficiently large stock to open a fishery in 2008 a zero TAC
was set as a precaution, and as required by the Habitats and Birds Directives, because an
appropriate assessment had not been undertaken. In 2009 this information was available and
the TAC was set at 719 tonnes, however the appropriate assessment process proved to be
quite lengthy and as a result the fishery only opened on the 30 th of September, considerably
later than the historic opening of the fishery, typically during July. The total catch was low,
only 108 tonnes being taken. The low take up was due to other restrictions in the
management plan such as threshold rates of catch below which the fishery was to be closed, a
limited fishing season, limited fishing days during the season, daily maximum catch, a
minimum, market driven, landing size of 22mm shell width which is higher than the 17mm
legal requirement for other Irish cockle fisheries and spatial restriction on where fishing can
occur. In addition an unknown but probably significant natural mortality occurred in the
period between the biomass survey (June 2009) and when the fishery opened. A zero TAC
was set in 2010 because of low biomass and low densities which were deemed to be below
commercial viability.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Table 1 Cockle landings, biomass and TAC in Dundalk Bay 2004 – 2010
Y EAR
B IOMASS
TAC
C ATCH
2004
1654
n/a
201
2007
2277
950
668
Fishery Closed, no
2008
3588
2009
2158
2010
814
AA
719
108
Closed, low biomass
The fishing gear consists of hydraulic suction and hydraulic non-suction dredges. The
hydraulic suction dredge operates by fluidizing the sand using water jets and then lifting
cockles from the beach onto the vessel. The dredge has a cutting blade at the front of a grid.
Jets of water positioned in front of the blade fluidize the sediment. This sediment is then
sieved through the grid and the cockles are drawn through a suction pipe to the deck of the
vessel. The hydraulic non-suction dredge also operates by fluidizing the sand using a water
jet that lifts the sediment and cockles. It differs from the suction dredge in that cockles are not
drawn to the deck of the vessel but remain in the dredge box. In the case of cockle dredges
the dredge blade penetrates approximately the top 5cm of sediment
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Map 2 Distribution of cockle fishery in Dundalk Bay
3.2.2
Razor Clams, Ensis siliqua
Fishing for Razor clams occurs periodically in the area off Duneany Pt. off the south shore of
Dundalk Bay and to a lesser extent in the sub-tidal areas in the middle of the bay, within the
SPA. The number of vessels participating in the fishery and is generally not greater than 10.
Fishing for razor clams occurs in a number of shallow water (7-15m) areas in the north west
Irish Sea from Howth to Dundalk Bay. The fleet is nomadic and moves between beds seasonally
or annually depending on the status of the bed. The fishery can occur throughout the year but
in practice the activity is episodic depending on catch rates and weather and market conditions.
Fishing is uneconomic at catch rates below 24kg.hr-1. The fishing day is over 16hrs or extends
over 24hr periods.
The extent of the fishery can be seen in Map 3. The fishing gear consists of hydraulic nonsuction dredges which operate by fluidizing the sand to a depth of approximately 30cm using
water jets at 2 to 3 bar pressure positioned in front of a cutting blade at the front of the dredge
to fluidize the sediment. The sediment is then sieved through the dredge as it is towed at
slow speed (0.5kts) through it and the razor clams retained in the dredge box. The MLS for
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
razor clams is 100mm shell length.
Map 3 Razor clam fishing areas in Dundalk Bay
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
3.2.3
Mussel, Mytilus edulis, fisheries (Prohibited by law)
Mussel beds are located in the main channel of Dundalk estuary inside the SAC and SPA (Map
4). The fishery is currently inactive but potentially 4-5 boats wish to exploit the resource during
the autumn to end of year period. Historically mussels were commonly fished from the
Dundalk River estuary. The proposed fishery is to extract mussels for human consumption and
not for relay i.e. this is not a proposal for a seed mussel fishery. Anecdotally over 200 tonnes
have previously been extracted over short periods of up to 2 weeks. The fishery is prosecuted
using mussel dredges 1.2m in width, towed at speeds less than 2 knots.
The Appropriate Assessment for Dundalk bay conducted by the Marine Institute concluded
that there was insufficient about the characteristics of this fishery and uncertainty about the
potential impact of the activity on prey resources for certain special conservation interest bird
species in Dundalk Bay. The Institute advised that this fishery should not proceed until it is
fully assessed.
Mussel fishing is already prohibited in Dundalk Bay by SI 347 of 2008. Pending such future
assessment, if requested, this prohibition will remain in place.
Map 4 Mussel fishing areas in Dundalk Bay
3.2.4
Brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, beam trawl fishery
Fishing for brown shrimp occurs in sub-tidal areas of Dundalk Bay, within the SPA (Map 5).
The fishery is unusual in Ireland and is presently inactive due to low prices and critical mass
14
Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
with respect to export costs. Shrimp are cooked on board for further processing outside of
Ireland. It has generally been fished by two boats for up to 50 days per year in late summer. 6m
beam trawls with a towing speed of approximately 2 knots are used. The trawl mesh is 22mm
with a separator panel to allow organisms larger than 22mm minimum dimension to escape.
Shrimp, small fish, small crustaceans are captured and brought on deck. Non target species are
graded out on deck and discarded live. The grader on deck is a drum grader with 3 grades
sequentially increasing in width down the grader.
Map 5 Brown shrimp fishery in Dundalk Bay
3.2.5
Scallop, Pecten maximus, fishery
Up to 2 local boats and a number of nomadic boats may fish for scallop using toothed dredges
east of the Dundalk Bay SPA along the northern shore of the outer Bay as shown in Map 6. The
number of dredges and total amount of activity is unknown but is sporadic and irregular. The
minimum landing sizes for scallop is 100mm shell height.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Map 6 Scallop, Pecten maximus, fishery in Dundalk Bay area
3.3
3.3.1
Static Gear fisheries
Pot Fisheries
Up to 10-12 boats operate in and eastward of the SPA fishing with baited soft eye creels set in
strings for lobster, brown crab and velvet crab all year round weather permitting as shown in
Map 7. Minimum landing sizes for brown crab of 130mm carapace width, lobster 87mm
carapace length apply. There is also a prohibition on landing v-notched lobsters however there
are no management measures in force for velvet crab.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Map 7 Lobster, brown crab and velvet crab fisheries in Dundalk Bay
There is also a small amount of potting for pink shrimp (Palaemon serratus) by up to 8 vessels
including NI registered vessels between September and March. There is a closed season from
May to August. The fishery occurs in sub-tidal areas east of Dundalk Bay adjacent to the SPA
(Map 8). It has been established in the last 10 years possibly due to expansion of the species
into the Irish Sea and is carried out using baited shrimp pots with a 10mm mesh set in strings.
Small fish and other small crustaceans are captured and brought on deck where non target
species are graded out on deck and discarded live. Small shrimp are usually graded on board
and discarded live.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Map 8 Pink shrimp (Palaemon serratus) fisheries in Dundalk Bay
3.3.2
Fixed Net Fisheries
There are no fixed net fisheries, however there are potentially 8 draft net licences capable of
being used to fish salmon in the estuaries of the 5 salmon rivers that enter the sea within the
boundaries of the site (Map 9). These are the Flurry, Castletown, Fane, Glyde and Dee. Of these
only the Fane is considered to have an exploitable surplus over it’s conservation limit at the
present time (2011). All of the rivers are assessed annually by the Standing Scientific Committee
for salmon (SSC) and management advice provided to Inland Fisheries Ireland, which, under
the authority of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, is
responsible for the management of these fisheries. The total allowable catch is obtained from a
scientific assessment carried out by the SSC that determines the surplus production of salmon
above that required to meet conservation limits. The conservation limit is the number of fish
required to maintain maximum productivity of the stock in each river system. As these fisheries
are managed under the authority of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources they are not included in the FNP and are only included here for completeness.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Map 9 Potential salmon, Salmo salar, fishery locations
3.4
Hand Gatherers
Commercial handgathering activity has grown since the establishment of the fishery in 2001
culminating in a peak of activity in 2007 when it is estimated that 200 tonnes may have been
taken. The activity has been regulated by means of permit since 2009 and holders are required
to submit activity records to BIM on a weekly basis. In addition the areas of foreshore they are
permitted to access have been restricted for health and safety reasons due to the lack of access
points to much of the intertidal area which could result in handgatherers being trapped by the
incoming tide. Only 280 kg was taken in 2009
3.5
Recreational Fisheries
There is a small amount of cockle handraking for personal consumption. This has been
regulated by means of permit since 2009 and holders are required to submit activity records to
BIM on a weekly basis. In addition the areas of foreshore they are permitted to access have been
restricted for health and safety reasons due to the lack of access points to much of the intertidal
area which could result in handgatherers being trapped by the incoming tide.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
4
Management Measures
4.1
Measures applicable to all vessels fishing within the boundaries of Dundalk Bay
SAC and SPA
4.1.1
Licensing & Registration
As provided for in national legislation all vessels must:
1 ) Hold a Sea Fishing Boat Licence issued from the Department of Agriculture, Marine
and Food (DAMF).
2 ) The licensee must hold tonnage and kilowatts equivalent to the capacity of the
vessel.
4.1.2
Closed Areas
The intertidal muddy fine sand habitat on the extreme upper shore will be operationally closed
to fishing. However as physical constraints, the low water depth, make it impossible for vessels
to fish this area no formal closed areas are required.
4.2
4.2.1
Measures applicable Mobile Gear Fisheries
Cockle fishery
Map 10. Proposed fishing areas (shaded) 2011 to 2016.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Fishing for cockles over 22mm in shell width will be allowed in the mid and lower shore as
outlined in Map 10.
4.2.2
1
General Regulations for the cockle dredge fishery
Access and conditions of Fisheries Natura Permits:
 All vessels must hold fishery Natura Permits issued by the Minister for Agriculture,
Food and the Marine. The Minister will determine the qualifying criteria for a vessel
to be issued with Permit. .
2
Harvest rates - The harvest rate (% of biomass) rules will determine the Total
Allowable Catch (TAC) in any given year of the plan, in combination with the results
of timely monitoring of the oystercatcher index and subject to the conclusions of
proposed study of the feeding ecology of oystercatchers in Dundalk Bay. The
following harvest rate rules, justification is provided, will apply
 At biomass <750 tonnes harvest rate is zero.
o
750 tonnes = k/4 or 0.25 of the carrying capacity (k) and population
growth rate at this biomass is less than optimal
o
The population response to harvest rates is likely to be variable and
unpredictable at low biomass
o
Zero harvest rate was used in 2010 when biomass was 814 tonnes
o
The stock will rebuild more quickly
 At biomass 750-3000 tonnes harvest rate is 0.33
o
1650 tonnes = k/2 and the point at which population growth rate
(productivity) is at a maximum
o
This harvest rate will lead to landings of between 250-1000 tonnes which
is within the range of previous harvests and within the possible range
for MSY
o
This harvest rate was used in 2007 and 2009 and is a rule of thumb rate
for cockle fisheries in the UK
 At biomass >3000 tonnes harvest rate is 0.50
o
Higher harvest rates at high biomass are justified because stock
productivity at high biomass is likely to be lower (Annex I)
o
Population is less sensitive to higher harvest rates at high population
sizes
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
o
Natural mortality is high in this stock and yield per recruit is highest at
ages 1-2. Delaying harvest will lead to loss of yield. At higher biomass
growth rate may be density dependent leading to further loss of YPR
and high adult density may impede recruitment. Although YPR could
be improved at lower biomass by applying higher harvest rates the risk
of high harvest rates at low biomass outweighs the potential benefits.
3.
Minimum legal landing size
a.
Shell width >17mm however a 22mm voluntary minimum will apply. If noncompliance with this provision is found, the Minister will consider regulating
for a 22mm minimum landing size.
4.
In season depletion of catch rate
a.
When catch rates decline to 250kg per vessel per day the fishery will close
irrespective of other harvest rules. In calculating the catch per vessel per day
i. the first weeks fishing will be excluded because operators are tine
tuning gear at the start of the fishery
ii. only vessels that have fished the entire tidal period each day for at
least 2 days each side of the high tide will be included
iii. The catch rates are provided by fishermen through submission of
weekly Fishing Activity Records to BIM and will be cross checked
with SFPA issued gatherers dockets.
b.
BIM will monitor the records submitted by fishermen and immediately
advise the Minister when the TAC is taken or when the catch rate closure is
triggered. The Minister will close the fishery by Natura Declaration and
advise permit holders.
5.
Spatial control on fishing to protect seed cockles
a.
The Minister may specify spatial controls to exclude fishing in the intertidal
fine sand community areas where seed cockles are concentrated. Typically
these areas are on the upper shores. This will be decided on an annual basis
based on the biomass survey
b.
The total area that the fishery will have access to during the period 2011-2016
is approximately 60km2 but annually, as the distribution of cockles is mainly
on the mid and lower shore, the expected area over which the fishery will
occur will be between 10-20km2
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
6.
Seasonal closures to protect waterbirds
a.
The fishery will normally operate from 1 July to 30 October each year. In
2011, as an exception due to its late opening, the fishery will close on 30
November..
7.
8.
9.
Daily catch allowances to ensure equitable distribution of catch
a.
A daily maximum catch of 1000kg per vessel will apply.
b.
The Minister will consider variations of this limit on receipt of such requests.
Days per week and time restrictions
a.
Fish tides of 4.2m or higher.
b.
Fishing will be allowed on one tide per day only
Fishing gear/s: suction and non-suction hydraulic dredges (gear code DRM,
FAO/ICES code 04.1.2). Maximum dredge and blade width is 0.75m and 1.0m for
suction and non-suction dredges respectively.
10. Permitted vessels shall be required to notify the Fisheries Monitoring Centre 2
hours prior to leaving port each day.
4.2.3
General Regulations for the razor clam (Ensis siliqua) fishery
1. Any vessel fishing for razor clams in Dundalk Bay shall be required to notify the
Fisheries Monitoring Centre 2 hours prior to leaving port each day.
2. Any vessel fishing for razor clams in Dundalk Bay shall be required to complete a BIM
Natura Fishing Activity Record Book in respect of each voyage and carry the Book on
board at all time and make it available for inspection by an authorised officer. Activity
Records shall be returned to BIM in accordance with the instructions specified in the
book.
3. BIM and the Marine Institute will monitor razor clam fishing in Dundalk Bay using
details provided by the FMC notifications and Activity Record Books and will advise the
Minister if any significant escalation in this activity is noted. The Minister will consider
review of this Plan and the Appropriate Assessment in light of this advice.
4.2.4
General Regulations for the brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) fishery
1. Any vessel fishing for brown shrimp in Dundalk Bay shall be required to notify the
Fisheries Monitoring Centre 2 hours prior to leaving port each day.
2. Any vessel fishing for brown shrimp in Dundalk Bay shall be required to complete a
BIM Natura Fishing Activity Record Book in respect of each voyage and carry the Book
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
on board at all time and make it available for inspection by an authorised officer.
Activity Records shall be returned to BIM in accordance with the instructions specified
in the book.
3. BIM and the Marine Institute will monitor brown shrimp fishing in Dundalk Bay using
details provided by the FMC notifications and Activity Record Books and will advise the
Minister if any significant escalation in this activity is noted. The Minister will consider
review of this Plan and the Appropriate Assessment in light of this advice
4.3
Measures applicable Cockle Hand Gatherers (recreational and commercial)
Target species: Cockle (Cerastoderma edule)
Method of gathering/collection: Raking of sediment and hand collection of cockles. Access is
limited to the northern (Cooley) and southern (Annagassan) areas of the proposed fishing areas
as in Map 11 below
Map 11 Proposed areas for cockle handraking in 2011 to 2016
Number of operators: maximum of 20
Duration of operation and time of year: July 1st and not later than 30 September or earlier if the
quota is taken. Fishing will take place only during the hours of 07:00-19:00 Monday to Friday,
3-4 hours per day, approximately 2 hours before and after LOW water.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Individual gatherer limits: Authorised individuals will be limited to a total take of 1000kg of
cockles over the period for which the fishery is open.
Reporting: All participating individuals must return Fishing Activity Records to BIM on a
weekly basis.
Total Catch by Handgatherers: The total catch by all permitted individuals shall not exceed 20
tonnes during any annual fishery. The total catch will count against the TAC.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
5
Review and Adaptive Management
The Appropriate Assessment of the fishing activities included in this Plan, conducted by the
Marine Institute, concluded that the cockle and razor clam fisheries should be licensed only
with certain conditions.
In respect of cockles, the Assessment recommends that approval of cockle fishing for the period
of the Plan be conditional on annual review and adaptive management, in light of monitoring
and research data on the feeding ecology of oystercatcher in Dundalk Bay. The Marine Institute
propose to commission such research. The Assessment also recommends that a review should
provide annual evidence that there is no causal link between changes in the oystercatcher index
and cockle landings taken by the fishery. It should review the significance of annual findings
of relationship between landings, post fishery biomass and the oystercatcher index against the
conservation objectives for oystercatcher. Finally it recommends that this Plan be adapted to
include an annual review mechanism in relation to effects on oystercatcher.
In respect of razor clams, the assessment recommends that approval of razor fishing be
conditional on monitoring of the intensity and distribution of activity. It recommends that the
assessment of the effects of this fishery should be reviewed if significant escalation of the
activity, over and above that recorded in previous years occurs.
In respect of brown shrimp, BIM has recommended to the Minister that this fishery should be
subject to a similar monitoring and review arrangements as are recommended for razor clams.
In its letter of 25 August 2011, the National Parks and Wildlife Service stated that it is of the
view that an annual review to facilitate adaptive management and the continued validity of
the Appropriate Assessment is necessary and that this should be specified in the Fisheries
Natura Plan for Dundalk, including reporting timelines and responsibilities. It added that such
a review can be focussed and efficient, with time allowed to allow consideration of technical
information by the appropriate personnel.
Arrangements for Review
It is proposed that the cockle, razor clam and brown shrimp fisheries will be reviewed annually
and conclusions reached before 30 June each year, in respect of continuation of those fisheries
from 1 July each year and any management arrangements that may be necessary to ensure no
significant effects on the conservation objectives for Dundalk Bay. Conclusions will also be
made on whether this Plan should be revised and whether further appropriate assessment will
be required.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
The annual review will be led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with
expert advice from BIM, the Marine Institute and the SFPA and in consultation with the NPWS.
Draft findings of the Review may, at the discretion of the Minister, be referred for consideration
by the ad-hoc Technical Advisory Committee, which includes the above agencies, together
with representatives of the fishing industry and environmental pillar.
Data input to Review
Regulatory requirements for the cockle, razor and brown shrimp fisheries require that vessels
fishing in Dundalk Bay notify the Fisheries Monitoring Centre of their intention to fish within
the Bay on any particular day. Vessels are also required to carry on board a BIM Activity
Record Book and to submit details of each fishing voyage to BIM weekly/monthly as required.
These data will provide details of number and frequency of vessels in these fisheries, their catch
and area of fishing.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Annex
Cockle Biomass Survey
Methodology provided by the MI
Annual surveys of cockles are undertaken in Dundalk Bay by the MI to provide information
on biomass that forms the basis for setting the TAC and for consultation with the cockle fishing
fleet, as represented by the Dundalk Bay Cockle Local Advisory Committee, and other
interested parties, on management arrangements for the fishery .
Survey Design
The survey design will be the same as that undertaken in 2007 - 2010. This consists of a 500m2
survey grid mapped over the intertidal sand flat. Each grid cell is divided into 400 sub-cells
25m2 in area. A sample is taken from at least 3 randomly selected sub-cells in each grid cell (Fig.
1). The survey is undertaken according to plan unless sampling points are inaccessible or where
sampling points towards the edges of the grid show consistent zero values in which cases
sampling points further to the edges of the grid are dropped.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Fig. 1. Sampling plan for the 2010 cockle survey in Dundalk Bay
The sample unit is a 0.25 m2 quadrat. The sediment within the quadrat is dug out to a depth of
approximately 30cm and sieved through a 5mm grid. All cockles are counted and retained for
estimation of age and size. Latitude, longitude, time, date, sediment type and the depth of the
redox potential discontinuity (RPD) layer in the sediment are recorded at each site using
Trimble® GPS units. Where it is apparent that larger cockles over the minimum legal size
(18mm shell width) are in low abundance and a significant proportion of samples are reporting
zero counts when scoping using larger area rake samples is carried out to see if large cockles
are present. In such circumstances, therefore, to 0.25m2 quadrat samples larger area samples
are also taken, to reduce the probability of zero counts, by raking over the sediment to a depth
of approximately 5-10cm and counting all cockles in the area. Sample area can vary from 2 to 9
square meters. These raked samples are not quantitative for cockles under 18mm and are taken
at the same locations as quadrat samples although not necessarily at all stations.
Size and age
The shell height of all cockles collected is measured. In addition shell width, weight and age is
recorded for a sub-sample. Shell height and width, height and weight and height at age
relationships are estimated.
Estimation of biomass
Numbers of cockles per sample is standardised to density per square meter by dividing by the
sampled area which varied from 0.25 for quadrat samples to 9 square meters for raked samples.
Densities are mapped in ArcGIS 9.1 and interpolated using an Inverse Distance Weighting
(IDW) algorithm. This interpolation method averages the values of sample data points in the
vicinity of each cell in the raster surface being estimated. A power value in the interpolation
can be used to control the weighting of points based on geographic distance from the point
being calculated. Specifying low power, such as 2 in the present case, gives more influence to
distant points and a smoother surface. The search radius is varied so that at least 6 sampled
points are used in calculating the interpolated cell. Neighbourhood areas used to calculate
interpolated points is therefore variable depending on the sampling effort close to the cell being
interpolated.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Density contours are drawn at intervals to reflect the range in density over the survey grid and
the geographic area within each contour calculated.
Mean biomass of cockles (Bmc) and its confidence limits per square meter within the contour is
calculated as
Bmc =
D  d  * (W  w)  D *W  (( D *W ) *
d 2 / D 2  w2 / W 2 )
where D is average density of cockles at stations within the contour, d is the confidence limits
for the average density, W is the mean weight of cockles at stations within the contour and w
is the confidence limit for the mean weight.
Total biomass within each contour (Bc) is calculated from the product of the mean biomass
within the contours and the geographic area encompassed by the contour.
Bc  Bmc * Ac  CLBmc * Ac
where Bmc is the biomass per square meter within a contour area, Ac is the area encompassed
by the contour, CLBmc is the confidence limit for the biomass per square meter within the
contour area as calculated above.
Finally the total biomass is obtained by summing the biomass estimates for all contours
n
B   Bc  CLBmc 
c 1
Stock productivity
Advice provided by the MI
The sustainable rate of harvest of cockles in Dundalk Bay is unknown. In reality there is
probably no stable sustainable yield as recruitment is environmentally dominated and natural
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
mortality (M) is high and variable. The feasibility of harvesting also depends on how the
biomass is distributed and densities (m-2) of cockles on the sand flat.
The biomass of cockles was estimated annually by independent survey in 2004 and 2007-2010.
Maximum biomass of 3588 tonnes was recorded in 2008 (Table 1). Based on these biomass
estimates and assuming that 3588 tonnes is the carrying capacity and M is 0.5, crude estimates
of MSY, based on method of Gulland (1971) and Garcia et al (1989), are in the region of 100-700
tonnes (Table 1).
Table 3. Annual biomass estimates and yield (landings) of cockle in Dundalk Bay.
Year
Biomass
2004
1654
2007
2277
2008
3588
2009
2158
2010
814
Yield
MSY, Y=01
MSY, Y>02
306
600
709
664
120
444
151
373
1
577
= Gulland (1971), MSY=0.5*M*B, 2=Garcia et al (1989). M = 0.5
A discrete logistic growth model, assuming that the 2008 biomass is the carrying capacity (K)
and that the rate of population growth (r) is 1 suggests that the maximum surplus production
is about 870 tonnes at half of the carrying capacity (k/2).
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Yield (tonnes)
Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
4000
Productivity>replacement
Surplus production
3500
N(t)=N(t+1)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0
1000
2000
Biom ass (tonnes)
3000
4000
Figure 1. Phase diagram of discrete logistic growth showing surplus production in relation to
population biomass for Dundalk cockles. Annual biomass and yields are shown for the period
2004-2010. K=3588, r=1 (the population grows monotonically to a stable equilibrium).
These crude estimates of productivity of the stock together with experience of yields and catch
rates during the period 2007-2010 provide some empirical framework for developing harvest
control rules that may be biologically realistic, consistent with experience for this stock and
acceptable to industry based on harvest control rules accepted in fishery plans in 2007, 2009
and 2010.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
Conservation Objectives
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
List of Qualifying Interests (for SAC) & Special Conservation Interests (for SPA)
QI/SCI Description 000455 Dundalk Bay SAC
1130 Estuaries
1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide
1220 Perennial vegetation of stony banks
1310 Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand
1330 Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco‐Puccinellietalia maritimae)
1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi)
QI/SCI Description 004026 Dundalk Bay SPA
A005 Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) ‐ wintering
A043 Greylag Goose (Anser anser) ‐ wintering
A046 Light‐bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla hrota) ‐ wintering
A048 Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) ‐ wintering
A052 Teal (Anas crecca) ‐ wintering
A053 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ‐ wintering
A054 Pintail (Anas acuta) ‐ wintering
A065 Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra) ‐ wintering
A069 Red‐breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) ‐ wintering
A130 Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) ‐ wintering
A137 Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) ‐ wintering
A140 Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) ‐ wintering
A141 Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) ‐ wintering
A142 Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) ‐ wintering
A143 Knot (Calidris canutus) ‐ wintering
A149 Dunlin (Calidris alpina) ‐ wintering
A156 Black‐tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) ‐ wintering
A157 Bar‐tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) ‐ wintering
A160 Curlew (Numenius arquata) ‐ wintering
A162 Redshank (Tringa totanus) ‐ wintering
A179 Black‐headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) ‐ wintering
A182 Common Gull (Larus canus) ‐ wintering
A184 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) ‐ wintering
A999 Wetlands & Waterbirds
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
1130 Estuaries
To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Estuaries in Dundalk Bay, which is
defined by the following list of attributes and targets:
A TTRIBUTE
M EASURE
T ARGET
N OTES
Habitat area
Hectares
The permanent
habitat area is stable
or
increasing, subject to
natural processes.
See map 2
Community
distribution
Hectares
The subtidal Fine
sand community
complex should be
conserved in a
natural condition. See
map 4
Habitat area was
estimated at 2799
hectares using OSI
data and the defined
Transitional Water
Body area under the
Water Framework
Directive.
Habitat structure was
elucidated from
intertidal core and dig
sampling
undertaken in 2007
and 2008 combined
with data obtained
from subtidal grab
samples obtained in
2009.
1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide
To maintain the favourable conservation condition of Mudflat and sandflat not
covered by seawater at low tide at Dundalk Bay, which is defined by the following
list of attributes and targets:
A TTRIBUTE
M EASURE
T ARGET
N OTES
Habitat area
Hectares
The permanent
habitat area is stable
or
increasing, subject to
natural processes.
See map 2
Community
distribution
Hectares
The Muddy fine sand
community and
intertidal Fine sand
community
complex should be
conserved in a
natural condition. See
map 4
Habitat area was
estimated at 2799
hectares using OSI
data and the defined
Transitional Water
Body area under the
Water Framework
Directive.
Habitat structure was
elucidated from
intertidal core and dig
sampling
undertaken in 2007
and 2008 combined
with data obtained
from subtidal grab
samples obtained in
2009.
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
08/02/2016
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
General Conservation Objectives for all QI bird species
A TTRIBUTE
M EASURE
T ARGET
Population trend
Percentage change
Long term population
trend stable or
increasing
Distribution
Number and range of
areas used by
waterbirds
There should be no
significant decrease
in the numbers or
range of areas used
by waterbird species,
other than that
occurring from
natural patterns of
variation
N OTES
Population trend
assessment
(Generalised Additive
Modelling (GAM))
was undertaken using
waterbird count data
collected through the
Irish Wetland Bird
Survey and other
surveys
As determined by
regular low tide and
other waterbird
surveys. Waterbird
distribution from the
2009/2010 waterbird
survey programme is
discussed in Section 5
of the SPA
conservation
objectives supporting
document
28
A999 Wetlands & Waterbirds
To maintain the favourable conservation condition of the wetland habitat in
Dundalk Bay SPA as a resource for the regularly occurring migratory waterbirds
that utilise it. This is defined by the following attribute and target:
A TTRIBUTE
M EASURE
T ARGET
N OTES
Habitat area
Hectares
The permanent area
occupied by the
wetland habitat is
stable and not
significantly less than
the areas of 8136,
4374 and 649
hectares respectively
for
subtidal, intertidal,
and supratidal
habitats, other than
that occurring from
natural patterns of
variation. See map 5
As defined by SPA
boundary to MLWM;
MLWM to MHWM;
and MHWM to SPA
boundary (the latter
value is minus the
area of Lurgangreen
Fields)
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Dundalk Bay Fishery Natura Plan 2011-2016
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40