Written Answers Nos. 453-469
463. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the white fish quota (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39504/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe annual fisheries quotas for Ireland for the following year are determined each year as part of the TAC and Quota negotiations at the Fisheries Council in December. Once the Irish national quotas for the year are fixed the arrangements for the management of the fisheries and for the allocation of the quotas over the year and across the various fisheries participants commence. Each month my Department meets with the fishermen and on shore processors to discuss and agree advice for me on the desired allocation of the quotas for the following month. This advice, developed in partnership with the fishing industry, then forms the basis for my decision on fisheries management for the following month under the relevant legislative frameworks in place governing the effective management, conservation and rational exploitation of our sea fisheries resources.
465. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the report of Inland Fisheries Ireland in October 2010, critical of the Marine Institute's monitoring of sea lice in fish farms and expressing concern about the effect on wild stocks, was not passed on to the European Commission. [39617/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn responding to the case referred to by the Deputy my Department forwarded all relevant material to the EU Commission, including material supplied by Inland Fisheries Ireland. In addition, the EU Commission arranged for Inland Fisheries Ireland to make a direct oral presentation of its position at a meeting with the Commission on 19 December 2011 at which my Department was also present. Following consideration of the scientific facts underpinning the State’s control protocols for the management of sea lice the EU Commission closed the case on 11 October 2012.
