Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:141 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the implications of the Fischler proposals on the whitefish fleet; and his views on those proposals. [21028/02]
Written Answers. - Common Fisheries Policy.
The Commission has brought forward proposals for the review of the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, including in relation to fleet policy. These involve imposing restrictions on the days vessels will be allowed to fish. This is a move away from the current approach which relies heavily on setting limits on the volume of fish that can be caught – total allowable catches and quotas. This would have extremely serious implications for the Irish fleet, as the total amount of fishing effort – days at sea – the fleet would be allocated would be significantly less than the total that would allow the present fleet to operate on an economic basis. The Commission estimate in their proposals that over 400 Irish vessels would be scrapped, some 40% of the whitefish fleet. In addition, the proposals involve ceasing the grant-aiding of fleet renewal and modernisation.
While I am committed to the introduction of changes to the CFP that achieve balance between the fishing resources available and the community's fishing fleet, the Commission's proposals are disproportionate and are not the best method for achieving the necessary balance. Ireland's existing system of fisheries management is restrictive, as it allocates fishing opportunities between vessels over the season to ensure a reasonable return for all the vessels. This approach maximises the socio-economic impact for coastal communities and respects quota allocations. The Irish fleet is small and would be very seriously affected by the proposals. I am also seeking to continue to aid fleet renewal and modernisation in order to promote a safe and modern working environment for fishermen.
The Commission's proposals were discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in September and October. I outlined my opposition to these elements of the Commission's proposals on the basis that they formed a technocratic approach to fisheries management and would not ensure the sustainability of fish stocks, which is the primary aim. I explained that Ireland could not support these measures, which would force many family fishing enterprises in peripheral areas out of business. My position was supported by a number of other member states with whom I have been working, and will continue to work, to achieve agreement on a way forward.
I am engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with member states to ensure that Ireland's concerns and its alternative approach to reform are understood. In addition, I am meeting Commissioner Fischler next Monday, 11 November to discuss the reform process and I have also arranged for Ireland's CFP strategy group to meet him to ensure that the Commissioner hears at first hand the concerns and priorities of Ireland's fishing industry in the review process. I can assure the Deputy that I will work intensively in the coming weeks to bring about changes to the CFP review package that deliver a more balanced approach to fleet policy, ensuring a sustainable industry and thus protecting the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing.