Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2024
269. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering any changes to the approach when allocating a quota for the annual mackerel hook and line fishery in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5843/24]
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.
The allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for vessels under 15 metres in length overall fishing exclusively by hooks and lines was set down in Policy in 2010.
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.
There is currently no agreement among the sectors of the fleet for change from the current approach.
