Dáil debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Fishing Industry Development: Statements

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Deputy Harrington asked about next year's tuna quota. It has been decided and we have managed to secure a roll-over of this year's quota into next year. This will be deemed a success, given the amount of pressure applied by some countries to take greater shares of the quota to satisfy other interests. They have not been given those shares.

Deputy Clare Daly referred to the matter of electronic log books. The Commission has insisted that fleets across the EU should implement a system of electronic log books, which would give the enforcement structures of countries like Ireland instant data on what is being caught, where it is being caught and who is catching it. This means we would not need to rely on a paper trail, which has proven to be an ineffective way of matching catch with boats' quotas. The electronic log book concept has been welcomed by the Irish industry and will help us to create a more level playing pitch in respect of catches in waters for which Ireland has responsibility.

Deputy Wallace's point about discards was correct. I feel strongly about the issue, as does the industry. Voluntary initiatives in the industry are being taken to try to ensure fewer juveniles are caught, for example, through the use of better targeted fishing gear on the Celtic Sea. When one tries to catch cod, one also catches whiting and haddock, which are in the same fishery. We are considering ways to allow fishermen to be more targeted through the use of, for example, escape hatches and alternative mesh sizes, and to try to release juvenile fish when and where appropriate.

The main objective in combating discards must be to avoid the catching of out of quota or unwanted fish as opposed to landing everything caught. This is particularly so in the case of juvenile fish. Killing them makes no sense as they are not marketable, people do not want them and it damages future stocks. The following year, they will be mature and we can catch them.

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