Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
769. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding licences for fishermen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8811/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicy for the management of Herring Stocks was set down in 2012 and is available on the Department’s website at: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/seafood/seafoodpolicy/forms/
The Herring stocks around Ireland are currently in a very vulnerable state and ICES (the Internatial Council for the Exploration of the Seas) advised a zero Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for each of these stocks. For 2020, the EU Council agreed a very small TAC and quotas for the North West Herring stocks and for the Celtic Sea Herring stock to allow for the continued collection of scientific data which is set at a level that will not impair the recovery of these Herring stocks.
The number of new young fish entering the fishery each year, has been very low since 2013 and, as a result, the Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) of Northwest Herring – the total weight of the stock old enough to reproduce – has been declining. In 2016, a monitoring Total Allowable Catch (TAC) was established for this stock. This has been in place since to allow the collection of samples and to continue the scientific time series. Management arrangements for the North West Herring stocks under these exceptional circumstances are recommended and supported by Industry representatives, including the National Inshore Fisheries Forum which represents small boats. For 2019 and earlier years, the 2012 Herring policy was set aside. Recommendations from industry representatitives, which includes the NIFF, for the 2020 fishery is expected later in the year.
In the case of the Celtic Sea Herring stock, the SSB of this stock has been decreasing significantly since 2011. Last year, ICES advised zero catches in 2020. However, ICES suggested that a monitoring TAC for a sentinel fishery only should be conducted to allow for the collection of scientific data. In previous years, in accordance with Herring policy, the Celtic Sea Herring Sentinel fishery operated as an open fishery for vessels under 17m length overall confined to the Dunmore Box with 11% of quota set aside. The Management arrangements, under the Ministerial policy, for the Celtic Sea Herring fishery are recommended by the Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee, who includes representatives from the NIFF. The Department is awaiting a recommendation for 2020.
