Vol. 548 No. 5
107 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to protect the whiting fishery and the fishermen on the south east coast (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5803/02]
The national whiting quota in the Celtic Sea for 2002 is 8,814 tonnes. This represents a 51% increase over 2001 and will deliver enhanced fishing possibilities for Irish fishermen this year.
A specific management regime for the fishery was introduced in January in order to minimise the potential for market over-supply of whiting in the spring months when the fishery is most active and which has led in the past to depressed prices. The management regime for February increases catch limits over the January regime while continuing to reflect the need to ensure balance between supply and demand and also to avoid early closure of fisheries through premature exhaustion of quota.
I will keep the fishery and market conditions under close review, in consultation with the industry. Future management regimes will continue to take all relevant factors into account.
