John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the timescale for his proposals being published; if he will give an understanding that the future management arrangements will be fair to all existing participants in the fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39819/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to the review of herring stocks management arrangements. Earlier this year I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, the Celtic Sea stock, the stocks off the north-west coast and the Atlanto-Scandian stock.

For 2011, Ireland has a quota of 11,407 tonnes for Celtic Sea herring which represents 86% of the total allowable catch, TAC. A Celtic Sea herring management advisory committee, comprising representatives of the fishing and processing industry, has been in place for a number of years to advise the Minister on the management arrangements for the stock.

The stock was in decline with a TAC of 6,000 tonnes set for 2009. The advisory committee brought forward a rebuilding plan for the stock which was endorsed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas, ICES, and its implementation has seen a significant stock recovery. The EU Commission has proposed a 60% increase in the TAC for 2012. However, the advisory committee, which has been hugely responsible on this issue, and the Marine Institute are recommending an increase of just 30% to ensure this stock is not over exploited and recovery beds in.

The herring fishery in the north west involves two stocks with combined quotas of 7,333 tonnes for 2011. Ireland has 91% of the southern stock and a 15% share of the stock off Scotland. The scientific advice for the southern stock is that the landings should be reduced and the EU Commission has proposed a cut of 25%. A rebuilding plan for the stock submitted through the regional advisory council for pelagic stocks to the EU Commission by the Irish industry was considered not to be precautionary. Further work on this important initiative by the Irish industry will be necessary in order to put in place a long-term rebuilding plan for this important stock.

In terms of management of the herring stock, we will come forward with proposals to the industry after the consultation process within the coming weeks.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The Altanto-Scandian herring stock is fished in the waters off Norway. Ireland's quota for 2011 is 5,705 tonnes. Ireland has access to a maximum of nine licences each year for this stock.

Under current policy, access to herring fisheries is open to all vessels in the dedicated pelagic segment of the fleet, large polyvalent vessels which are permitted to target herring, based on a history in the pelagic fisheries, and all polyvalent vessels under 19.81 m. Over the past few years there has been increased interest in participation in these fisheries and this had led to concern from those with a history in the fisheries for restriction on access to the fisheries.

In response to my notification of the review, a number of proposals were received from industry, many offering conflicting views, particularly in regard to the need to ring-fence the fisheries. Taking account of the views expressed I am currently examining a number of options for new management arrangements. I plan to make these proposals available to industry representatives for views shortly before making a final decision on the management arrangements for 2012 herring fisheries.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Some fishermen have contacted me to ask when the proposals will be ready. I welcome the comments of the Minister that they will be ready within the coming weeks and thank him.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We hope to return to the industry with my preferred option. Given the submissions on this issue it is impossible to keep everybody happy. Some people are diametrically opposed. Some want stocks to be managed on the basis that only people with a track record will have access to stock quota but others want full access for everybody.

I will have to make a judgment call on that, which will happen within days. When I do that we will send a proposal to the industry for further consultation. We will then have a round table discussion involving everybody and I will have to make a decision. That process has to happen quickly in order that we have a management structure in place for next year.