Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2015
81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he satisfied regarding the development of the fishing industry here, in the wake of revised European Union agreements, quotas and fishing practices; if he expects families dependent on the fishing industry to continue to achieve a reasonable return for their efforts and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7240/15]
View answerThe new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.
A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should ultimately lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and lead to more sustainable fishing patterns. The new Common Fisheries Policy specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY. I am committed to the ambitious objective of achieving MSY by 2015 where possible and by 2020 at the latest. As president of the Council during the CFP negotiations it fell to me to broker an agreement on this important issue between the co-legislators. In line with the CFP, I consider that for some stocks we will need to phase in delivering MSY if its immediate application seriously jeopardises the social and economic sustainability of the fishing fleet. The TACs and quotas for 2015, as agreed at the December Agriculture & Fisheries Council of Ministers meeting, take account of delivering MSY for 2015 where possible and on a progressive, incremental basis at the latest by 2020 for all stocks.
The introduction of a landing obligation/discarding ban on a phased basis, as set out in the CFP, represents a fundamental shift in fisheries policy and fishing practices. A discards plan for pelagic stocks in North Western Waters, developed by Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, France and Belgium in consultation with the Advisory Council, has been in place since the 1st January 2015. Work on a discard plan for the whitefish & demersal stocks is already under way and is due to come into force on the 1st January 2016. This work is carried out in close consultation with both the Advisory Council and other Member States with fisheries interests in North Western Waters. It is expected that over time the landing obligation will lead to an improvement in the state of the stocks of importance to Ireland and will result in increased fishing opportunities for the Irish fishing industry.
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 safeguard fish stocks for future generations. This will ensure that families dependent on fishing can look forward to being part of a vibrant, productive and resilient Irish fishing industry and can expect to continue to achieve a reasonable return for their efforts and investment.
