Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2016
53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 8 June 2016, if he will consider watching the film referred to (details supplied); his views on the matters raised in the film; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21328/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not yet had the opportunity to see the film, Atlantic, referred to by Deputy Barrett and raised last month by Deputy Smith. Therefore I remain unable to comment one way or another upon the matters raised in it. I have noted that two deputies have now brought this film to my attention and I will, therefore, certainly consider watching the film if and when the opportunity presents itself.
I am aware that this documentary raises a number of matters about the use of different natural resources, including fish stocks, in three Atlantic Communities in Ireland, Norway and Canada. I should point out however that there are numerous sources of information regarding the proper use and management of natural resources and, while I am open to all, when it comes to fisheries management I draw on the expert advice of the Marine Institute. I also engage in extensive consultations with the fishing industry and other stakeholders, for example the Environmental Pillar, to ensure that I am fully aware of as wide a range of views on our fisheries management arrangements as possible.
It is important to note with regard to fish stocks and their use as natural resource that, in Ireland, fish quotas are a public resource. The allocation of fish quotas follows regular, detailed consultations.
Ireland has successfully resisted pressure over the years to try and force the privatisation of fish quotas through the imposition of what is known as an Individual Transferable Quota or ITQ system. As Minister responsible, I am determined that our marine resources will continue to be managed for the overall public good.
I would also like to reference the wider world in which we operate, namely the new European Union Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The key objective of the reformed CFP is to ensure that fishing activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term and are managed in a way that continues to deliver economic and social benefits to our coastal communities that are dependent on the sea.
A key tool of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). This should lead over time to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and result in more sustainable fishing patterns.
The CFP specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY. The most recent assessment of progress in achieving MSY shows that while challenges remain, there has been steady progress toward the ultimate goal of achieving MSY for all stocks by 2020. There is no doubt that this objective is challenging. However, in the Northeast Atlantic area, the move towards sustainability is both widespread and visible. While in the early 2000s most stocks were overfished, today more than half of the (assessed) stocks are managed sustainably, and this includes many of the largest and commercially most valuable stocks.
My overarching goal as Minister is to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector. These objectives must however be balanced with the need to safeguard fish stocks for future generations. This will ensure that families dependent on fishing can look forward to being part of a vibrant, productive and resilient Irish fishing industry and can expect to continue to achieve a reasonable return for their efforts and investment.
