Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine arising from agreements entered into in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy, the extent to which the Irish fishing industry is likely to develop in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48766/13]
View answerThe new Common Fisheries Policy puts fishermen at the core in developing technical and conservation measures to protect juvenile fish and vulnerable fish species with a completely new regionalised decision making approach. This is a significant change as up to now fisheries decision making was centred in Brussels. The new CFP has moved away from the old system of EU wide development and application of the rules (a one size fits all approach). Instead, the new policy provides for the development of measures appropriate for each region by the Member States, in consultation with the stakeholders through the new Advisory Councils to devise and implement measures that work for the types of fisheries in the region. A first meeting of Member States from the North West region was hosted by Ireland earlier this week.
A practical and phased discards policy is being introduced where in early years of implementation, TACs and quotas will be set to take account of current levels of discards, which should see quotas increase over time. This means that fishermen will have time to adjust and implement changes that will allow for the avoidance of non target species where there are particular problems with the relevant by-catch (such as that the stock is overfished and needs to be allowed to rebuild). In that context, I have established a national Discards Implementation Group to advise on the issues arising in the effective implementation of the new policy and to recommend practical solutions and arrangements that take into account the situation of the Irish industry.
Another key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of the MSY Principle (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should lead to healthy fish stocks and to higher quotas for Irish fishermen and more sustainable fishing patterns.
Technical measures will also be introduced to avoid and minimise catches of juvenile fish and the reforms contain a commitment to continue and further strengthen conservation measures in the biologically sensitive area off the South and West coast of Ireland (new Irish box). The commitment to develop and strengthen biologically sensitive areas, with spawning grounds and high populations of juvenile fish will also protect the livelihoods of coastal communities by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in a environmentally responsible manner.
Finally, and crucially from an Irish perspective, the Hague Preferences have been maintained and given increased reference in this agreement. The Hague Preferences have traditionally given Ireland an increased share of traditional whitefish stocks such as cod, haddock and whiting in the waters off our coast when stock levels are decreasing. It is important to bear in mind that other Member States receive reduced quota as a result of their allocation to Ireland and to the UK and there was no support from other Member States for a specific provision that would have made the application of Hague Preferences a mandatory provision of the CFP. In that context, having an increased reference to the Hagues in the recitals of the new CFP Regulation is significant as it can be seen by other Member States as a clear signal of the intent of the Council and the Parliament.
From the outset of the Common Fisheries Policy revision process, Ireland’s overarching goal was to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to ensure that fish stocks would be protected for future generations. I strongly believe that the new CFP will achieve that goal.
