The IWDG welcome the closure of the Celtic Sea Herring fishery due to the small size of fish caught. The fishery opened on Sunday and the fish caught were very small.
the Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee who represent the fishing industry and fish producers recommended closure . They stated “The CSHMAC organised a conference this morning and believe that action needs to be taken urgently to protect the stock and recommend closing the Fishery immediately. While closing an area was discussed, it was felt that this would be difficult to control and might not provide necessary protection for the stock.”
This is the responsible action to try and protect the few remaining fish. Celtic Sea Herring was a very important fishery in Ireland but now with declinng stocks is worth only a shadow of its former value. Herring, mainly young, juvenile individuals, are also an important prey species for humpback and fin whales and common dolphins due to their high calorific value and schooling behaviour. 
IWDG welcome this responsible act and hope this does not lead to increased pressure on sprat. The Minister brought in a ban on pelagic fishing within 6nmls of the coast for vessels greater than 18m. However sprat are allowed to be fished for another 3 years, which the IWDG regret.
Let not our sprat stocks go the same way as herring as we must protect the most important forage fish in our inshore waters, which supports not only whales and dolphins but seabirds, sharks and a range of commercial fish species.
The IWDG have been carrying our whale and dolphin surveys onboard the RV Celtic Explorer during the annuual Celtic Sea Herring Acoustic Survey for the past 14 years. we have established a strong link between herring and even more importantly sprat stocks and whales and dolphins and have prepared an Environmental Management Plan for the CSHMAC.