Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fish Stocks.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

64 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the current level of the various species of fish stocks; if he will give some indication in relation to these levels ten years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3955/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statements. While the 1999 quotas for pelagic species remain broadly similar to the 1989 levels, the combined quotas for whitefish species show a reduction of the order of 18 per cent on the 1989 quotas. However, this has been more than offset by a significant increase in landings of non-quota whitefish species and of shellfish over the period.

Irish Fisheries Quota S 1999 and 1989

Fish Species	ICES Area	1999 Quota	1989 Quota
Cod	I,IIa	446	0
Cod	VI	1,870	2,280
Cod	VII(exVIIa)	1,980	2,440
Cod	VIIa	2,720	7,000
Haddock	VI	1,980	2,760
Haddock	VII	7,050	1,330
Saithe	VI	400	730
Saithe	VII	2,380	3,940
Pollock	VI	150	160
Pollock	VII	1,300	1,070
Whiting	VI	1,825	4,900
Whiting	VII(ex VIIa)	6,100	5,370
Whiting	VIIa	2,298	7,200
Plaice	VI	780	730
Plaice	VIIa	965	2,320
Plaice	VIIbc	240	160
Plaice	VIIfg	80	170
Plaice	VIIhjk	540	500
Sole	VI	95	90
Sole	VIIa	115	180
Sole	VIIbc	85	50
Sole	VIIe	0	375
Sole	VIIfg	30	30
Sole	VIIhjk	225	325
Hake	VI, VII	1,867	1,860
Monkfish	VI	860	860
Monkfish	VII	3,164	2,510
Megrim	VI	620	630
Megrim	VII	3,710	2,630
Nephrops	VI	170	215
Nephrops	VII	8,482	9,590
Herring	VIa(N)	9,810	7,790
Herring	VIa(S)	19,090	18,180
Herring	VIIa Manx	1,720	1,560
Herring	C Sea	18,140	17,280
Mackerel	VI, VII	60,420	69,280
Horse Mackerel	VI, VII	60,910	N/A
Total		222,418	176,495

Total landings of Quota and Non Quota Whitefish species (Demersal)

1989	1998
38,780 tonnes	41,120 tonnes