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.