I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 15, 16 and 88 together.
The position is that my Department, in consultation with the various fishing interests involved, manage this fishery. A management regime, incorporating individual boat quotas and a total take of 6,000 tonnes approximately, was adopted for the January-February fishery. On 22 January last, I decided, on the basis of strong scientific advice, to close the fishery because of my concern for the future of the herring stocks. In the early part of January, a large proportion of the fish landed from the fishery were made up of very young fish — two years old — the majority of which had not spawned. The risks inherent in this type of fishing and its long term impact on the stock made such a decision imperative. I could not allow a possible return to the situation which existed ten years ago when herring fishing in the Celtic Sea was totally prohibited for five years because of the poor state of the stock, resulting mainly from the catching of young fish.
I would also wish to point out that my Department were in contact, in advance of the closure, with representatives of the fishermen and also the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association, who represent the processing industry. The majority of the processors directly concerned were in favour of the proposed closure.
I, the Minister and Departmental officials have since met a number of deputations from the IFO and the IFPEA. Following these discussions we have agreed on a course of action which will address the concerns of fishermen and also allow us to secure the scientific objective, which is the preservation of this stock in the long term. I am satisfied that the proposed course of action is the best strategy in the circumstances. It involves test fishing to determine the quality and age structure of the herring in the fishery at present. The decision to close the fishery will be reviewed in the light of the results of the test fishing.