Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
802. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details on any fish and shell fish quota swaps that the State has made with other EU States in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; if he will provide the basis for these swaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28761/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf a member state does not have sufficient quota for a certain species, a quota swap can be agreed with another member state.
Ireland may seek an exchange of quota with another EU member state to cover a shortfall in quota (or effort) for a fish stock in an area for the year. Conversely, Ireland may receive a request from another EU member state for a quota swap. Each swap proposal is considered on a case-by-case basis by my Department taking into account the views and recommendation of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC), taking into account ratios and market prices to ensure all agreed swaps are equitable.
Quotas are swapped on a temporary basis but continuously repeated yearly exchange is also possible. Ireland has long established relationships with a number of EU member states where certain swaps are carried out on a yearly basis, provided Ireland has sufficient quota available for the stock for the area.
I attach details of fish and shell fish quota swaps that Ireland has made with other EU States in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020. Please note that reports on swaps that were carried out over the last four years (2016 - 2019) are available on the Department's website.
