Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fish Quota.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

320 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether the current whitefish management system based on regulation by way of statutory instrument causes unnecessary problems for Irish fishermen as opposed to the system of management by producer organisations which operates in other EU member states; and if he will consider adopting such a system here. [4513/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern):

Member states are legally obliged under the Common Fisheries Policy to put in place effective measures to respect and manage their respective fish quota entitlements. In particular, it is a requirement that such measures are capable of depriving those responsible of the economic benefit of infringements, produce results proportionate to the seriousness of such infringements and also discourage further infringements of the same kind.

The current quota management system operating in Ireland, involving the use of statutory instruments fulfils these requirements. The existing system is also designed to ensure the best possible spread between fishermen, in terms of take up of quota during the year, having regard to fishing pat terns and market conditions. A key objective is the avoidance of very early closure of fisheries through rapid exhaustion of quota. To date Ireland's fish quotas have been regarded as national assets. Accordingly, the system of quota management ensures that quotas are treated as a public resource that is available to all fishing vessels who are licensed to fish the particular stock. In some member states the allocation of quotas to producer organisation has lead to the privatisation of quotas which have become a commodity and are purchased by vessel owners. Under the current arrangements the fishing industry representatives are invited each month to an advisory committee on whitefish quota management and their views are taken into account in the determination of monthly regimes for particular stocks.

My Department is currently examining the issues relating to quota management generally and will be reporting to me shortly. Any future quota management system must be consistent with the need to fulfil the legal requirements on member states and also must be capable of ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of quota amongst Irish fishermen.