As the Deputy is aware, the advice on fish stocks published by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) forms the basis of the scientific advice used by the European Commission in proposing Total Allowable Catches (TACs).
The ICES advice for Pollack in ICES Areas 6-7 for 2024 is for zero catch. A copy of this advice is available on the ICES website (www.ices.dk) from the following link: Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) in subareas 6–7 (Celtic Seas and the English Channel) (figshare.com)
For 2024, a by-catch only TAC has been set for Pollack in Areas 6-7 to avoid a "choke" situation which would lead to the premature closure of whitefish fisheries where Pollack is caught as a by-catch. Given the scientific advice for this stock, the need to balance socio-economic considerations with achieving good biological status for stocks, and taking into account the challenges of managing mixed fisheries, setting a by-catch only TAC is the most appropriate approach.
It is important to note that the scientific advice does not just apply to Irish waters. Pollack is also found in the waters around the UK and France and the ICES advice covers all of ICES areas 6 and 7. Therefore, a survey in Irish waters alone would be of little value.
Ireland is actively involved with the scientific research to improve the understanding of Pollack. The Marine Institute is taking a leading role in the next ICES benchmark process for this stock, which will be completed in the spring of 2025. An alternative assessment model, one which uses additional sources of data, will be evaluated as part of this process.
While the preliminary results indicate that this extra information does not change the perception of the stock, the new model will give a more precise estimate of the state of the stock and improve short-term forecasts that determine when the target fishery could re-open.
In addition, the Marine Institute is actively working with scientists from the UK and France on a number of fronts, including genetic analysis of Pollack stock structure and analysing historic data from commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries and scientific surveys.
Following the conclusion of the EU-UK negotiations on 2024 fishing opportunities for shared stocks, the EU and UK agreed to work together in the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to improve the long-term management of the Pollack stock, including working on improving the assessment of the stock.
