Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
1609. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the herring quota allocation and the request from his Department for an additional 1,000 tonnes from the European Commission; if a decision has been made in relation to that request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26279/16]
View answerThe EU Fisheries Council set a total allowable catch (TAC) and Quotas for the Herring stocks in the North West on 28 July 2016. The regulation provides for a quota for Ireland of 1,482 tonnes for the southern part of the area, and 630 tonnes for the northern area.
I provided a detailed paper on 29 July setting out relevant information and sought proposals from the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) for arrangements for these fisheries in 2016. I asked the industry representatives to work together to bring forward a proposal which will be exceptional for 2016 taking into account the priority that the quota supports the collection of scientific data from the fisheries. I am awaiting the QMAC recommendation. I also plan that any recommendation will be subject to full stakeholders consultation.
