Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021
327. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the introduction of bans as a way of conservation instead of the sustainable management of fisheries (details supplied); the steps he will take to rectify the matter and a series of other matters in the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4692/21]
View answerIreland’s goals for sustainable fisheries are supported through the CFP. The CFP provides the framework for the long-term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters.
There are a range of measures which are employed to ensure the conservation of fish stocks and the long-term sustainability of fishing in EU waters. These include setting Total Allowable Catches in line with Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The CFP specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY.
Technical measures are also used to support sustainable fishing. Technical measures are rules on how, where and when fishers may fish and also include gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches.
In 2020, 45% of the stocks of interest to Ireland were fished at or below MSY - this increased from 34% in 2013. In 2009, at EU level only 5 stocks were fished at MSY. This shows that the many years of intensive, industry-led conservation measures are paying off.
However, in some cases, when a stock is seriously depleted, there may be no other option but to prohibit fishing for that stock.
Regarding the specific stocks referred to by the Deputy, in the case of Sea Bass, Ireland has been to the forefront in protecting this vulnerable stock for many years with a complete prohibition on commercial fishing in place since 1990. In addition, EU vessels are prohibited from fishing for Sea Bass in Irish waters of Area 7 (the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and waters of the south-west and west coast).
As regards Dogfish - sometimes called Spurdog or Picked Dogfish - it is prohibited to target, retain on board, tranship or land picked dogfish, also known as spurdog. Spurdog are log lived, slow growing and late maturing fish and are therefore particularly vulnerable. The latest advice issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) on 2 October 2020 is that there should be no targeted fisheries for dogfish in 2021 and 2022. On the basis of the available scientific advice on the current state of the stock, there is currently no possibility of re-introducing a targeted fishery in the near future.
The responsibility for salmon conservation comes within the remit of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
The Herring stocks around Ireland are currently in a very vulnerable state and for 2020, and ICES advice for the Celtic Sea fishery and for the North West fishery is for zero TACs. The EU Council agreed very small "data collection" TACs for them to allow for the continued collection of scientific data which is set at a level that will not impair the recovery of these stocks. The setting aside of the 2012 Ministerial Policy was only decided by me because these were "scientific quotas" and, accordingly, the priority for the fishery was to deliver on the collection of the required data. In the normal course for commercial fisheries, any amendment of policy requires full assessment and consultation with stakeholders.
Within the Management Policy for mackerel, an amendment to the arrangements was put in place for the 2020 fishery that increased the trip limit from 500kg to 750kg for the hook and line mackerel fishery following a proposal in respect of this fishery from the National Inshore Fisheries Forum. Any proposals for mackerel management must have regard for the Judicial Review (2017/816JR) which is ongoing whereby a decision made by the Minister in July 2017 in respect of the allocation of Ireland’s total mackerel fishing quota is being challenged .
Ireland does not have a national quota for Bluefin Tuna. The available Bluefin Tuna quota is allocated each year to Member States on the basis of relative stability as established in the late 1990s. At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for Bluefin Tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation. The only way to obtain a share of the EU quota now would involve changing relative stability within the EU. The EU percentage share of the international TAC is set down and there is no likelihood that an international country will concede any share to the EU. This means that EU Member States, with a national quota, would give up a share of their allocation to Ireland.
The EU Commission has advised that it intends to commence the Common Fisheries Policy review process when there is clarity on the future relationship between the EU and the UK. The review is expected to be detailed and comprehensive. I will consider how Ireland will prepare for and participate actively and effectively in the review, including the interaction with stakeholders to prepare Ireland's case and identify priorities.
