Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013
536. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if boats of less than 15 metres will be considered for extra quota for herring in Area Vla in view of the fact that fewer than ten such licensed boats operate in the fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12891/13]
View answerI consider that the industry itself is best placed to advise me on the management of fishing opportunities, given the wide range of factors which contribute to the optimum usage of available quotas. In relation to the monthly allocation of fishing opportunities, my Department officials and the representative producer organisations in the industry, both fishermen and onshore processors, meet each month and industry representatives make recommendations to me in relation to the quota to be allocated in the coming month for whitefish and some pelagic fisheries, including the small vessel herring fishery in Area Vla.
I will ask my Department to raise the Deputy’s proposal with the Industry at the monthly meeting when considering their recommendation on the catch limit to apply in the Under 20m vessel herring fishery in Area VIa for April and I will then consider all the issues raised when making my decision on the matter.
