I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
The management arrangements in place for the Celtic Sea and North West Herring fisheries have been developed in consultation with industry representatives and differ in the length of the fishing periods allowed. The Celtic Sea fishery involves single week fishing periods, while the North West fishery involves 6-weekly fishing periods.
In the case of both fisheries, vessels wishing to participate notify their interest in advance and are allocated catch limits for the 1 week or 6 week fishing period involved. Any quantity not caught within that fishing period remains part of the national quota and is allocated in subsequent fishing periods to vessels participating.
If bad weather prevents a vessel going to sea to catch its allocated catch limit, the vessel is free to book into the fishery for subsequent fishing periods, until the fishery closes.
These are the management arrangements developed with the industry. If the industry proposes to me that alternative arrangements be employed, I will be happy to consider them.