Dáil debates

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Topical Issue Debate

Fish Quotas

7:30 pm

Photo of Noel HarringtonNoel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this topic for discussion and the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, for coming to the House to respond to it. The background to this issue rests with what I would describe as the jewel of the crown of the Irish fishing industry, namely, the mackerel fishery, which is worth more than €100 per annum to the State and the industry.

During the past number of years, the fishery has changed, with countries such as Iceland and the Faroe Islands arbitrarily allocating themselves a huge amount of the quota which historically has been bound by international agreements in the North East Atlantic between the countries of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Russia. The effect of this unilateral allocation of quota has led to a huge political impasse and an economic crisis in the industry. I commend the Minister, Deputy Coveney, on his efforts in terms of being the first to call for the imposition of sanctions on Iceland and the Faroe Islands owing to what they had done. This led to feverish negotiations at a European level. Ultimately, over a series of meetings an agreement was, regrettably, reached between the European Union and the countries, with the exception of Iceland. In my opinion, this agreement will impact negatively on the mackerel fishery in this country. Included in the agreement is an increase from 890,000 metric tonnes to 1.24 million tonnes, in allowable catch in the North East Atlantic waters, to be shared among the countries mentioned. The problem is that the European Union share in this allocation has decreased considerably.

While there will be an increase in the 2014 total allowable catch, the future for this fishery will more than likely be a severe decrease in subsequent years, as a result not alone of the advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, but from the decreased share which the European Union will have in this fishery. This will lead to two significant problems for all sectors of the mackerel industry in this country. First, an increased allocation for the coastal States, including Ireland, will lead to increased landing and as a result depressed prices. This will be inevitable. Second, will be an increased expectation on some of the segments for an increased share of the Irish mackerel quota, particularly those within the polyvalent-pelagic segment. Currently the Irish mackerel quota is divided, with 87% of it being allocated to the RSW pelagic sector, which comprises 23 large vessels, and the remaining 13% being sub-divided between the remaining sectors and based on vessels' gross tonnage-size.

I understand the need for a large allocation for the RSW segment. There have been huge investments made in that segment, leading to greater quality fish landed at our ports. However, it would be unfair not to put on the record that there will be increased demands on this industry as a result of a short term gain. This matter needs to be handled carefully.

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