In preparation for the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, after which a large number of fishing stocks would become shared, the December Fisheries Council set provisional quotas for Member States that will, for 2021, be set following consultations with the UK. On 18th December, provisional fishing opportunities for stocks shared with the UK were set at December Fisheries Council.
The TACs for the period 1st January to 31st March 2021 were set for most stocks at 25% of last year's TACs and quotas. However, I made a strong case that some fisheries are seasonal and are fished in the early part of the year and secured an increased TAC and quota for these stocks including Horse Mackerel where the TAC and quota was set at 65% of the 2020 quota for the period 01 January to 31 March 2021.
In order to allow Irish-registered fishing vessels to commence fishing for Horse Mackerel from 1st January 2021, on 22nd December 2020, the Department issued fishing authorisations and catch limits for Horse Mackerel for the fishing period 1st January 2021 to 31st March 2021. The available quota, as set at the December Council, was allocated in accordance with Ministerial policy for this stock with 10% held back for any adjustments arising from quota balancing of the 2020 Horse Mackerel fishery. This quota balancing is currently in progress and will be completed as early as possible.
We are seeking an increase in the provisional TAC for a number of our important seasonal stocks, including Horse Mackerel, in order that these fisheries reflect normal fishing patterns in the year. However, the Commission proposal on increasing the TACs for the first three months does not include horse mackerel. We will press for this increase in the provisional TAC and quotas for this stock to be made available up to the end of March.
I am currently considering a request received from Industry representatives to increase the catch limit of Horse Mackerel to vessels for the Spring period on the basis of securing an interim swop of this stock from other Member States.
