asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that, during the past few years, the demand in the British market for fresh mackerel and herrings forwarded from this country is declining, and that the fishermen find it difficult to earn a livelihood in the industry; and if he will state if his Department intend to take any steps to assist the mackerel and herring industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mackerel and Herring Industry.
I am aware that, while our output of herrings and mackerel throughout the five-year period 1941-45 was well maintained, at prices considerably in excess of those prevailing during the previous ten years, the demand for these fish in the British market has declined during the past 12 months. There was a consequent reduction in the earnings of the fishermen concerned. Unless the wholesale merchants engaged in this business can devise some method of expanding our home consumption of fresh herrings and fresh mackerel the alternative would seem to be the export of such fish in the cured state. My Department will render any assistance possible in finding markets for these cured products.
Is it really believed that the demand for fresh herrings is gone? There appears to be an unlimited demand for fresh herrings.
Well, at times there appears to be a surplus over what the fresh market can take.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the quantity and value of mackerel landed at (a) Reenard Point, Valentia Harbour, and (b) Dingle, during the years 1945 and 1946.
The quantity of mackerel landed at Reenard Point, Valentia Harbour, in the year 1945 was 48,680 cwt., value £27,352. At Dingle the quantity was 2,043 cwt., value £848. The final figures for 1946 are not yet available, but on the information to hand it would appear that there was in the case of Valentia Harbour a reduction in quantity and a slight increase in value, while in the case of Dingle there was some increase both in quantity and value.