Plans were announced in December 2018 following a public consultation process to exclude vessels over 18 metres from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020.

A transition period of three years for vessels over 18 metres targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.

A policy directive was issued by the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the independent licensing authority for sea fishing boats to give effect to the measures excluding vessels over 18 metres in length from trawling inside six nautical miles.

Two fishermen successfully challenged the validity of the policy by way of judicial review. The High Court ruling has now been appealed by the State to the Court of Appeal and a stay is being sought on the orders granted therein.

Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue said: “As this matter is sub judice, I am not in a position to comment on the Policy until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.

“However, I am committed to the sustainability of fishing in Irish waters and to implementing the commitment made in our Programme for Government that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and pair trawling be prohibited inside the six-mile limit.”