asked the Minister for the Marine the portion of the 1989 mackerel quota which is left for the remainder of the year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mackerel Quota.
7.
To the end of April, a total of 53,477 tonnes of mackerel had been caught by Irish vessels, leaving approximately 15,800 tonnes of the quota remaining. This figure was agreed on with both the producers and processors. We have succeeded for the first time in gaining some rights in the North Sea, east of four degrees west, where most of the mackerel are in the autumn fishery. We wanted to ensure that we retained at least 13,000 tonnes. We have managed to retain 15,800 tonnes. This will ensure that we will be able to compete with all of the other countries fishing there. There is a tremendous demand for mackerel and I am satisfied that we will be able to compete with all of the other countries and have our fish on the market either on the Continent, Egypt or Nigeria just as quickly as any of the other countries. To cater for the needs of the smaller boats we have established — although this may not directly relate to the matter before us — a herring management regime to ensure that the smaller boats which cannot travel to the North Sea will be able to catch herring throughout the year.
The national quota is down almost 17,000 tonnes and of the present quota only 15,800 tonnes remain to be caught from October. Given that processors have had a very lean season and that there is much unemployment in the processing industry, would the Minister ensure that most of the 15,800 tonnes of mackerel which remains to be caught, which would be fished east of the four degree line, will be landed at Irish ports? I understand that in recent times a large amount of the fish caught has been landed elsewhere. Fishermen are inclined to land fish at the most convenient port and because of this would the Minister consider subsidising trawlers to come west, even to Killybegs in his own constituency which has been particularly hard hit by recent developments?
Of the quantity landed already this year, some 55 per cent has been landed in this country. While that may not appear to be high, we must compare it with the landings of Scottish boats in their country. Even though they are fishing on their own doorstep, 95 per cent is not processed and no value is added to them. They are put into luggers. I accept the point that we are fishing quite a distance from home and we shall try to do everything to entice the boats to come back. I have no doubt that the boats are more than anxious to turn to Killybegs, because the price is much better when the catch has been processed ashore there. We should remember that we had the worst winter possibly in living memory and that smaller boats only went out about four times from 15 December to March. We will entice them, but not to take risks.
The question of a better price is a commercial decision; and if prices are almost equal I have no doubt that the fishermen realise that the processing facilities in Killybegs, Galway and Dublin will always be there. Fishermen are very realistic and businesslike and know it is in their best interests to come home, because they know there are factories on water and on wheels which can be moved at any time. However, I take the Deputy's point and I realise the implications it can have for employment in the area.
I must also say that I do not think everybody will agree that it was a bad year. It was a reasonably good one, taking all these factors into consideration. The Deputy can be assured that we will continue to do our utmost to convince the Commission that there should be an increase in the total allowable catch. As a result we will get our 21.3 per cent. We are locked into this percentage because of the decision taken in 1983 but, thankfully, in 1991 there will be an opportunity to review it. We have very strong grounds on which to appeal to ICES which should warrant at least a small increase in the quota.
I am glad the Minister recognises that it was an extremely bad winter and that many boats were unable to operate. In view of that, will he agree that there is a special case for his Department to give some financial assistance to facilitate landings in the west?
It is not wise from a business point of view for the Government to be involved in a question of that kind. The price of mackeral will always find its own level; it is a question of supply and demand. It would be wrong to interfere in any way, but we have made numerous efforts over the past two years to try to impress on the Commission the necessity to provide an export subsidy to third countries. That existed some years ago and when it was discontinued we were given the impression that it would be available to us through some other channel. However, there is no point in giving the Deputy, the House or the industry the impression that we will be in a position to make it available. The avenue to explore is that in relation to subsidies to third countries. I am not a pessimist but I would not like to deceive the House or the Deputy. We will pursue it vigorously, and have been doing so, but of course the Council of Ministers and the Commission will decide at the end of the day.