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Why this programme matters
Ireland’s inshore fleet targets lobster and crab from Wexford to Donegal and in the Irish Sea. These fisheries support coastal communities and contribute data for ecosystem and shellfish-population research.
What the partnership helps us understand
We work with fishers to build consistent, high-quality evidence on inshore fisheries.
- monitor stock trends over time
- understand fishing effort and spatial activity
- support sustainable fisheries management
What data we collect
A representative sample of inshore vessels provides information about fishing activity and operations.
- target catch and landings
- discards and bycatch
- fishing effort
- operating costs
How submitted data supports assessment
Skippers record the information and submit it to us electronically. We then use the data to:
- develop indices of stock abundance
- track changes in fisheries over time
- support stock-assessment models and scientific advice
How researchers can use the data
Structured datasets and outputs connect inshore fisheries evidence with stock assessment and policy advice.
- analyse trends in inshore shellfish stocks
- support ecosystem and fisheries research
- complement survey or observer datasets
- inform scientific publications and reports
From logbooks to real-time data
In 2025, the Marine Institute took over the programme from BIM and began collecting data through a mobile application used by skippers.
The programme completed its transition to the application in 2026. This gives us greater control over data quality and removes the backlog in providing data for stock assessment and advice. Submitted digital data is available to us in real time.
How the programme works
A sentinel fleet of representative inshore vessels supports the long-term collection of consistent data.
- fishers receive a nominal annual payment for their participation
- funding comes from the EU Data Collection Framework and the Irish Government
- data collection forms part of national and EU obligations