Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
35. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to increase the national quota allocation for the mackerel hook and line fishery for 2023 following engagement with industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38352/22]
View answerManagement arrangements for the State’s fisheries, including the Mackerel fishery, have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the introduction of quotas. Pelagic stocks, such as Mackerel, are managed on an annual or seasonal basis with catch limits set based on allocation regimes developed over many years and related to historical catch records. Amendments to the mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation. It should be noted that the 2017 policy is subject to a legal challenge in the Courts.
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 of the policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet.
Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel quota for any sector in the allocation made available, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the TCA.
In accordance with policy, there is an allocation of 400 tonnes of Mackerel for a fishery for smaller vessels (under 15 metre vessels) fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line.
The management arrangements, within national policy, for the mackerel hook and line fishery have been on the agenda and discussed with industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). It is important to note that the remit of the QMAC is to examine and make recommendations within Ministerial policy.
Earlier this year, I asked the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 Mackerel hook and line fishery, within the policy, for my consideration. A working group involving industry representatives recommended by the QMAC and the Department was put in place and made recommendations for the management of the 2022 Fishery which were supported by the QMAC and which I have approved. The management arrangements are available on the Department’s website. The fishery is now open and the SFPA has advised that as of 11th July 2022, 138 tonnes of the 400 tonnes available quota have been landed to date with a corresponding percentage uptake of 34.5%.
