Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1911. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of quota allocated annually to fishermen across each of the various groups, including ring-fenced operators and inshore vessels under 12 m in the Northwest Herring (Scientific) Fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33229/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1912. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedure in place for the purpose of effectively managing unused quota in relation to the Northwest Herring (Scientific) Fishery; if unused quota is reallocated to eligible fishermen; if so, the amount reallocated to ring-fenced vessels; the amount reallocated to inshore vessels under 12 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33230/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1913. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria employed for the purpose of determining a fisherman's eligibility to receive quota under the Northwest Herring (Scientific) Fishery scheme; if he will provide this information in relation to each of the various groupings, including ring-fenced operators and inshore vessels under 12 m; if fishermen whose income is primarily generated through fishing and related activities are prioritised when allocated quota in respect of inshore vessels under 12 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33231/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1911 to 1913, inclusive, together.
The Minister’s Policy for the management of Northwest Herring (Scientific) Fishery was set down in June 2012. This fishery is ring fenced for vessels of 10m and over with established track record. An open fishery was established for up to 5% of the area 6A south adjusted quota for vessels under 20 m.
Historically, ICES determined that there were two herring stocks in the north western waters and, correspondingly, two separate ICES TAC areas. As a result, ICES previously gave separate advice for herring in 6A North and 6A South. Following a detailed overview of the scientific advice in 2015, ICES found that while there are two separate herring stocks it was not possible to provide definitive, separate scientific advice. This is because it is extremely difficult to segregate them into commercial catches or surveys. In effect, ICES requires better scientific information in order to be in a position to provide advice on the separate stocks. Since 2016, ICES has advised a zero catch for both stocks. However, it provided advice for a scientific monitoring fishery to gather data on the stocks as there is uncertainty in the assessment due to a lack of information in the available data sources. The available quota under this scientific monitoring fishery for Ireland is 1,482 tonnes in 2018.
Since 2016 the policy arrangements for the commercial fishery were set aside to support a scientific monitoring fishery in order to gain more scientific knowledge of the 6A North / 7BC herring stock as required for this fishery. Within the scope of the Quota Management Advisory Committee, the Producer Organisations and the NIFF engaged with the Marine Institute on the most appropriate use of the 6A Herring quota to deliver on the sampling requirements to inform the stock assessment. The outcome of these discussions was a proposal, which I approved, which set out the number of opportunities for vessels to participate in both an Acoustic Survey and sampling elements of a stock assessment, having regard to the areas in which samples are required and the quota available for each category. The scientific requirements were set out by the Marine Institute for the fishery in both years.
When a vessel expressed an interest in participating in one of the above categories, that vessel may have its gear inspected to determine if it is capable of doing the survey work. A lottery took place in 2016 and 2017 because more than the required number of vessels expressed an interest in taking part in the sampling activity. In 2016, allocations were made available for 17 vessels over 15 m and for 11 vessels under 15 m of which at least 6 were under 12 m (see table 1) and in 2017, allocations were made available for 21 vessels over 12 m (see table 2) and for 17 vessels under 12 m (see table 3).
Table 1 2016
|
Size (m) Registered Length |
Total number of vessels in sector |
Allocation (tonnes) for data collection |
Number to participate in data collection |
Total (tonnes)(Available 1606) |
|
Over 24.75 Acoustic Survey |
31 |
400 |
1 or 2 |
400 |
|
Over 24.75 Data collection samples |
31 |
80 |
8 |
640 |
|
19.82 – 24.4 |
16 |
50 |
6 |
300 |
|
15.88 – 19.81 |
2 |
30 |
1 |
30 |
|
Under 15 |
8 |
20 |
5 |
100 |
|
Inshore Sector |
16 |
6 |
96 |
|
|
1566 |
Table 2 - 2017
|
Size (m) Registered Length |
Total number of vessels in sector |
Allocation (tonnes) for data collection |
Number to participate in data collection |
Total (tonnes) (Available 1625) |
|
Over 24.4 and all RSW vessels |
34 |
120 |
4 |
480 |
|
19.82 – 24.4 |
13 |
70 |
6 |
420 |
|
Under 19.81 to include former <15m sector and <12m vessels with previous authorisations |
11 |
35 |
11 |
385 |
|
Inshore Sector <12m Detailed break |
NRIFF/NIFF to determine total number of vessels |
NRIFF/NIFF to recommend the number of vessels participating in data collection |
235 |
|
|
TOTAL |
1520 |
Table 3 - 2017
|
Size (m) Registered Length |
Total number of vessels in sector |
Allocation (tonnes) for data collection |
Number to participate in data collection |
Total (tonnes)(Available 1625) |
|
Inshore Sector <12m |
c540 |
|||
|
Ringnetters |
20 |
6 |
120 |
|
|
Trawlers |
20 |
4 |
80 |
|
|
Driftnetters |
5 |
7 |
35 |
|
|
Total |
235 |
I have not yet decided on the management arrangements for 2018 for this fishery. I understand that there have been discussions on this fishery at industry level within the scope of the Quota Management Advisory Committee and I hope to receive proposals on an agreed recommendation from the QMAC shortly which I will consider carefully.
There was no reallocation of quota in 2016 and 2017. Any reallocation for 2018, if included in the approved management arrangements, will be dealt with in accordance with these arrangements.
