National management plan for razor clams

A national management plan for razor clams announced by marine minister Simon Coveney includes an out-take limit in the north Irish Sea of 700kg per vessel per week from June 1. The proposal was tabled at the third National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) as an interim measure to secure sustainability in the fishery.

Razor clams

Out-take limit for razor claims in the north Irish sea of 700kg per vessel, per week, effective from June 2, 2015

“This is the first step in that process. Certainty about safe, high-quality Irish seafood is important for consumers and for the marketplace,” explained Minister Coveney.

Measures include:

  • obligations to weigh and report all razor clam landings
  • requirement to ensure fishing takes palces only in shellfish production areas that have been classified for razor clams
  • requirement to fish in only one class of shellfish production area per day, from a seafood safety perspective, and 
  • obligation for vessels in Irish waters to carry GPS tracking equipment from July 20

 

 

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