Brendan Griffin
Question:65. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a fishing matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4027/15]
View answerWednesday, 28 January 2015
Questions (65)
Written answers
My understanding is that the issue raised relates to mackerel management. The allocation of mackerel has long been a contentious issue and this has been addressed by a comprehensive policy on the management of the stock.
Prior to 2001, an allocation of 1,500 tonnes was set aside for polyvalent segment vessels out of the total national quota. This was increased to a set amount of 7,000 tonnes and did not take account of changes in quota. This changed in 2009, after a review, and a set percentage level was introduced to allow for increased allocations when the quota increased (or indeed reductions when the quota reduced).
This policy provides that the Polyvalent Segment vessels are allocated 13% of the quota and the RSW Pelagic Segment is allocated 87% of the quota. The distribution of quota amongst the vessels in the RSW Pelagic Segment is made in accordance with long standing ratios based on historic vessel size which has been in place for many years. The distribution of the quota for the Polyvalent segment vessels is made in accordance with Ministerial policy put in place in 2010. Under this policy, mackerel allocations were made available to vessel owners based on track record from the two best years 2007, 2008, 2009.
In terms of the allocation of quota between the RSW Pelagic segment vessels and the Polyvalent segment vessels, I do not consider that there are changed circumstances that would support a review of the allocations between the segments. I consider that the percentage based allocation between the segments can properly deal with year on year fluctuations in national quota in a fair, transparent and balanced way. Any change in the current arrangements would be justified only if circumstances have changed since the 2009 review. At that time, the Minister fully consulted with industry representatives on the issue and as a result was fully aware of the divergent views that prevailed within the industry at that time in relation to the management of this fishery. The specific management arrangements for the allocation of the mackerel quota introduced in 2009 were developed by the Minister for the proper and effective management of the mackerel fishing opportunities while at the same time fully cognisant of the divergent views that existed on the issue within various segments of the fishing industry.
The quota available to the Irish fleet for 2015 amounts to 89,200 tonnes and authorisations for the 2015 fishery have been issued in accordance with the policy in place.