Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1876. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes in mackerel quota allocation that have been implemented as a direct result of his assessment of environmental impact of the fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19854/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in Ireland, fishing quota, including pelagic stocks such as Mackerel, is a public resource and is managed to provide for proper management and conservation and rational exploitation of the State’s fishing quotas. The arrangements have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy and the introduction of quotas. Amendments to the mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation.
Atlantic Mackerel is a widely distributed, migratory pelagic fish that inhabits much of the north-eastern Atlantic shelf. The setting of Total Allowable Catches and quotas each year for this stocks is based on annual scientific advice by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and given the international dimension of this stock, TACs are set within the relevant international fora.
Consultation on the management of quota within National Policy is carried out each month at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting involving fishing industry representatives from the catching and processing sectors, the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. The purpose of these meetings is to make recommendations to me on the management of particular stocks within national policy and, as far as possible, I follow their recommendations, subject to the proper management and rational exploitation of our fisheries.
Pelagic issues, including in relation to the management of the Mackerel quota allocation as set down in national policy, where relevant, are discussed at the QMAC and recommendations brought to my attention to inform my decision.
