Management of the national mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy which has been developed and put in place over a number of years. The allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels using hook and line as a means of fishing was set down in Ministerial Policy in 2010. The Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation. This amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery - for all years up to and including 2019, the 400 tonne quota was not fully utilised by the sector. In 2019, for example, the uptake figure for the fishery was 298 tonnes.
In order to amend mackerel policy, I as Minister must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect policy, it would require due process involving an assessment of all issues arising, including full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for access to and a higher share of the mackerel quota. Mackerel is the stock most impacted by Brexit. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota by 2026 to the UK. This will only increase demands for higher shares of Ireland’s quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet. It is worth noting that the 400 tonnes for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced. Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase for any, such as the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the EU-UK TCA.
