The Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee (CSHMAC) has been in place for a number of years to advise the Minister on the management arrangements for the stock. The Committee comprise representatives of industry and processors and is chaired by the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WFPO). The Department is not represented on the Committee nor is any other State agency. However, the Marine Institute advises the Committee from time to time on scientific issues relating to the stock and was very involved with the Committee in the preparation of a Rebuilding Plan for the Stock which was accepted by the Minister and submitted to the EU Commission.
As part of the recovery plan for Celtic Sea Herring stock the CSHMAC recommended the establishment in 2006 of a restricted fishery for vessels under 50ft in overall length in the Dunmore East spawning area to assist with the provision of scientific information on the stock. From 2007 to 2011, 8% of the overall Celtic Sea Herring quota was allotted to the fishery. In the years to 2007 to 2010 an average of 25 vessels booked into the fishery, a number of which subsequently chose not to participate. In 2011 this increased to 40 vessels and in 2012 the number booking in increased to 72 vessels. Most of these vessels had never participated in the Sentinel Fishery before.
As part of the revised Ministerial policy on Celtic Sea Herring announced in June 2012, the proportion of Herring quota allocated to the Sentinel was increased to 11% of the national quota, which is the maximum amount that the fishery can sustain, as advised by the Marine Institute. At the same time, a whitefish and shellfish preclusion was introduced for participants for the duration of the fishery.
As the maximum quota to this fishery is restricted by the scientific advice available, the possible quota allocations are greatly impacted of the number of vessels booking in. The CSHMAC, having regard to the number of vessels booking-in and the amount of quota available, recommended a set of management arrangements agreed by all industry representatives on the committee for 2012. I accepted these recommendations.
In view of the changes to herring fisheries in 2012, I provided vessels booked into the fishery with the opportunity to book out of the fishery, without penalty, by Friday 9 November as the individual allocations available were known at the time. The arrangements in place including the size categories of vessels for allocations, were recommended by the CSHMAC. The Department brought the matter to the attention of the CSHMAC, who has advised the that tier categories are set out on a pilot basis for 2012 and the committee intends to propose changes to area of categorisation for 2013, including the issue of imperial Vs decimal vessel sizing.
Until I have an opportunity to examine the proposals from the CSHMAC and decide on clarifications, if any, to the current situation, the imperial measurement system will continue to apply. It is important to point out that any changes introduced will be based on a full evaluation, taking account of the situation of all vessels and the proper and rational management of this fishery. Accordingly, the possible impact of any changes on individual vessels can not be anticipated.
