Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
502. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider issuing licences for small inshore boats and white fish boats in respect of monk, haddock and prawns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42366/13]
View answerThe management of whitefish quotas do not generally involve a requirement for a secondary fishing license known as an authorisation, under the determination currently in force under section 13 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. The exception to this are vessels which are included in the industry led “Monkfish Scheme” and which are granted specific authorisations which set out the conditions of that scheme.
Whitefish quotas are set generally on a monthly basis by way of a fisheries management notice issued under section 12 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. When preparing for the monthly allocation of whitefish stocks, the representative organisations of the industry, both fishermen and onshore processors, meet each month with my Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to make recommendations to me in relation to the quota to be allocated in the coming month(s). I am open to consider all proposals from the representatives of the industry on the management of fish quotas.
