Continue to implement the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) in order to identify, minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

Awareness and training of best practices in maritime and coastal activities and preservation of the marine environment.

To continue to consider whether sites justify selection as Marine Protected Areas

Set up (temporary or permanent) Marine Protected Areas in functional zones for fish.

Continue to effectively control and promote compliance in accordance with the EU fisheries legislation.

To apply the Precautionary Principle to fisheries management to ensure that the exploitation of living marine biological resources restores and maintains populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the Maximum Sustainable Yield.

Continue to support the development and implementation of Multi Annual Plans at EU level.

Continue to develop fishery closure areas and seasonal closures in conjunction with the Regional Groups of Member States and Advisory Councils based on the best available advice.

Continue to examine and develop, where appropriate, closures of spawning and nursery grounds to preserve sensitive stocks at the national level, where sites are within the 6 nautical mile limit, and at the EU level.

Implementation of the Landing Obligation to help eliminate waste, protect young fish, rebuild fish stocks and ensure a sustainable future for the fishing industry.

Setting and enforcing of annual Total Allowable Catches and quotas.

Setting of conservation reference sizes to help lead to the reduction in overall fishing pressure on target species, including sensitive species.

Continue to implement local conservation reference sizes stocks/species under national measures within the 6 nautical mile limit.

Promote the use of selective fishing gear in order to reduce high levels of unwanted catches and to gradually eliminate discards.

Promote activities that reduce catch of juvenile fish (e.g. avoidance of nursery/spawning grounds and juvenile fish aggregations). Supporting technical measures may include regulation of net size.

To continue to examine and develop, where appropriate, the use of different types of fishing gear at the national level within the 6 nautical mile limit, and at the EU level.

To develop and implement fishery management measures for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at national level where sites are within the 6 nautical mile limit and at regional EU level for MPAs outside the 6 nautical mile limit.

To deliver compliance with legislation which prohibits the removal of shark fins at sea and other measures which support the conservation of elasmobranch species.

Regulate recreational and commercial fisheries to support conservation and sustainable exploitation.

Continue to implement the salmon licensing and log book reporting scheme.

Apply the compulsory management schemes for species below their conservation objectives.

Continued implementation of Ireland’s Eel Management Plans in line with the requirements of Council Regulation (No. 1100/2007).

Continue to manage the impacts of sea-fisheries and aquaculture in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.

Ensure that operators restore shellfish growing areas once production ends.

Continue to implement the EU fishery management measures for the protection of relevant species included on the OSPAR Threatened and/or Declining list.

To continue to support effective conservation methods for elasmobranch species delivering on the EU Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.

Apply Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) as appropriate.

Continue to apply to aquaculture licences for the cultivation of finfish and shellfish the condition that the Licensee shall comply with any regulations in force governing the movement of cultured marine species.

To continue to apply the new Common Fisheries Policy (1380/2013) which entered into force on 1 January 2014.

Continued regulation of fishing equipment, vessels, duration and species to regulate the pressures on the environment.

In accordance with the Common Fisheries Policy (1380/2013), through the application of the Precautionary Approach to fisheries management, to aim to ensure that exploitation of living marine biological resources restores and maintains populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield.

To implement a regional approach to fisheries management in line with Article 18 of the Common Fisheries Policy (1380/2013).

Setting total annual catch at EU level with regard to scientific advice from scientists to provide for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems and species.

Manage the fishing capacity of the fleet with regard to fishing opportunities over time in accordance with the Common Fisheries Policy (1380/2013).

Continue to manage the sea-fishing fleet in line with the Entry/Exit Scheme as set out in the Common Fisheries Policy (1380/2013).

Continue to ensure that the capacity of the sea-fishing fleet does not exceed the capacity ceiling set out in Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013.

To continue to support the Responsible Irish Fish (RIF) label and sustainability certification schemes (e.g. fisheries with Marine Stewardship Council certification).

In co-operation with the European Commission, to utilise the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to support the effective delivery of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.

To implement Council Regulation (EC) No. 2347/2002 establishing specific access requirements and associated conditions applicable to fishing for deep-sea stocks and support strengthened measures in any amendment to the Regulation.

Continue the precautionary management approach of prohibiting the commercial fishing and marketing of sea bass by Irish vessels. Support and implement measures adopted at EU Member State meetings to address the declining stocks of sea bass.

Replenishment of depleted inshore stocks in order to improve environmental sustainability.

Continue to develop closure areas and seasonal closures in conjunction with the Regional Groups of Member States and Advisory Councils based on the best available scientific advice.

To continue to work with the Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums and local stakeholders to develop and implement locally informed management plans for inshore fisheries within 6 nautical miles.

To continue to work with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum to develop inshore fisheries policy within 6 nautical miles.

Continue to implement effort management for crab fisheries in line with EU regulations.

To continue to enforce the protection measures for juvenile shellfish species set out in Council Regulation 850/98 as amended.

Continued effort management of Scallop fishing in line with EU legislation.

Implement national restrictions on fishing vessels participating in the scallop fishery, as follows. Vessels greater than or equal to 10m Length Overall must hold an Authorisation in order to retain on board or land a quantity of Scallop that is greater than 10% by live weight of the total quantity of all species of fish retained on board or landed on that occasion. To qualify for an Authorisation, a vessel must either have:- (i) carried out scallop fishing activity for at least 50 days at sea in the two and a half years up to 30 June 2005, or (ii) have sourced 100% replacement capacity from a vessel(s) which carried out scallop fishing activity for at least 50 days at sea in the two and a half years up to 30 June 2005.

To continue to develop and to apply protection measures for shellfish species in accordance with EU and national legislation such as v-notching, minimum & maximum landing size for lobsters, minimum landing size for brown crab, spider crab crawfish, closed season for shrimp, monitoring, reporting & spawning closure for bivalve fisheries.

Continue to implement national legislation to appropriately apply licensing, regulation and planning for the marine and coastal environment, including the requirement for applications to be accompanied by the materials necessary for a full assessment of the proposed plan, project or development.

Ensure that appropriate forms and levels of organisational governance are in place to support Foreshore Licensing, Petroleum Exploration/Appraisal/ Production Licensing, and proposed Maritime Option Licensing process.

Ensure that the consenting/ permitting processes, overseen by relevant regulatory bodies/statutory bodies, sufficiently account for the adequate protection of habitats and species.

Develop sector specific guidance documentation and regional strategy plans for renewable energy growth and impact control.

To apply the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and associated legislation in relation to licences and consents.

Continue to develop and implement river basin and shoreline management plans to control impacts and improve environmental status.

Develop and implement marine plans for all of Irish waters by 31st March 2021 at the latest.

Ensure that environmental monitoring and mitigation measures stipulated in Environmental Impact Statements are fit for purpose and when/where deemed necessary are conducted appropriately.

To continue to review the River Basin Management Plans at the end of each 6-year cycle as outlined in the Water Framework Directive.

To continue to apply the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).

To continue to apply the BIM Responsibly Sourced Standard for wild capture fisheries.

Continue to promote the Bord Iascaigh Mhara Environment Management System (EMS) to assist fishermen to implement practices to help minimise the impact of fishing effort on the marine environment.

Continue to promote the implementation of the Environment Management System on fish and shellfish farms through the Environment Management System for Aquaculture initiative.

Support the Origin Green Initiative National programme to improve sustainability and environmental performance within the Irish Food Sector.