Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this item. It is my first time to raise such an issue and I welcome the attendance of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to respond to this important matter. While I am more accustomed to speaking on agricultural rather than fishing issues, the importance of the Celtic Sea as a herring fishery has been brought to my attention a number of times. I commend the Minister for his commitment to the fishing and aquaculture industries and in respect of job protection and creation. In this context, Bord Iascaigh Mhara recently made a presentation on the subject of salmon farming and its potential off the coast of County Galway. I also commend the great strides made by the Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee, CSHMAC. The Minister should indicate whether he has met that committee, the views of which he sought on 12 May on the management of the Celtic Sea fishery.

As the Minister is aware, overfishing in that part of the State's waters had resulted in a reduction of allocated quotas. In 2009 there was a quota of 5,000 tonnes and through the management of the fishery, this increased to 8,500 tonnes in 2010 and 11,500 tonnes in 2011. Moreover, there is potential for a further 30% increase next year. If the committee is allowed to continue its work on the capping of boat numbers, I am told there is potential to increase the quota to up to 20,000 tonnes. It is the only managed fishery in Ireland, one of the best in the European Union and was set up more than ten years ago.

The 2011 fish processing season in the Celtic Sea fishery finished on 11 November and the quota was fished over a seven week period. I note the Minister is expected to issue a policy document in the coming weeks on the management of the number of boats in the fishery and the future management of the allocation of the quota. Some concern has been expressed about the experience in the 2011 season. The policy of the CSHMAC is that the number of boats operating in the Celtic Sea should be capped on the basis of track record and I believe detailed proposals in this regard were forwarded to the Minister on 8 June. In addition, the committee's policy is that the fishery should continue to be fished on the basis of weekly quotas and according to the Celtic Sea boat to quota ratio. I seek the Minister's opinions on the document he received from the committee.

There also is concern about jobs in the processing industry that result from the landing of the quota because this year, for the first time, a significant quantity of fish was landed abroad in Denmark, France and Northern Ireland, from where no returns accrue to the State. I appreciate there are issues regarding competition. Can anything be done to encourage better use of this valuable fish stock in terms of job creation and protection? As the quota was fished in just seven weeks, there was a three to four week shortfall in the length of time that up to 500 people could have been working in the various areas of processing, transport, servicing and so on.

The committee has given the documents to the Minister. The function of that committee is to consider the objective of rebuilding this important stock. Great work has been done, as I have outlined, and it is important we continue that great work to ensure this valuable asset for the State and the region is supported. What the Minister does in terms of the management for next year will have a huge part to play in this regard.

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