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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 1

Priority Questions. - Fish Processing Industry.

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

39 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the concern of the fish processing industry and the potential job losses as a result of the implementation of Multi Annual Guidance Programme IV in order to reduce days at sea. [22044/98]

I met representatives of the fish processing sector and they briefed me fully on their concerns. Their concern, like mine, is to ensure a sustainable future for the fish processing sector. First and foremost this requires the proper conservation and management of fish stocks, which is the underlying objective of the new controls being introduced.

It equally requires that the new effort management regime best matches the mutual needs of both the catching and processing sectors. It is critical, therefore, that these sectors and my Department continue to work closely together to the benefit of the entire sector and the coastal communities dependent on fishing.

To this end and in line with the recommendations of the herring task force review group, my Department, with the agreement of the catching side and the processing side, established a north west management advisory committee to manage the mackerel and herring stocks in the north west and the Celtic Sea management advisory group to manage the Celtic Sea herring fishery. These groups comprise representatives from all sectors of the industry. These management advisory committees must work to ensure that the pelagic fisheries are managed so as to maximise the benefits for the catching and processing sectors alike.

The introduction of this hands on industry management will help to ensure the days at sea regime for the pelagic fleet under the Multi Annual Guidance Programme is managed in such a way as to ensure reliability and security of supply for Irish processors. The operation of the days at sea regime for the pelagic fleet is under constant review with the industry to ensure that with co-operation the scheme can operate without detriment to the pelagic catching and processing sectors. I also look forward to the continuation of sound recommendations from the advisory committees on the management of the stocks that will bring a new level of co-operation into the sector to the benefit of all, particularly the coastal communities dependent on fishing.

Will the Minister agree that many of the owners of small vessels are concerned about the criteria used in regard to herring fishing? They used to land their fish with fish processing units in Ireland. Does the Minister consider that the operation will escalate to the position where fish will be processed in France, Scotland and Norway? Does he consider that rather than vessels returning to Irish ports it would be more economic for them to transfer their cargoes to fish processing units in those locations? I appreciate that scheme is in operation from 1998, but has the Minister considered the position prior to 1997 to ensure there are modifications and to allay the concerns of fish processors? I am sure he will agree that having regard to funding for fish processing units and the average value of grants it is contradictory to have some of those fish processing units lying idle.

I agree with the Deputy on that count. The pelagic fisheries have management committees. The Deputy mentioned the period 1996-7. This scheme is in place for 1998-9. I will do what the Deputy requested and ensure that, through the management committees particularly, we will examine the operation of the days at sea regime, particularly in 1999. That is the most practical way to address this matter. I did not want to have to do this type of thing, but the alternative was to take vessels out of the fleet. That is why this was set up. I will bear in mind the position of smaller vessels.

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