Seanad debates
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers
This tragedy is an unfortunate way to start the year and is a reminder of the dangers of fishing. In the broader industry, however, there are opportunities. One of the positives is that Ireland negotiated a good deal in December because we based our arguments on science and took political opportunities as they came. We have got significant increases in the white fish quota and the pelagic quota. It is a done deal and I do not want to crow about it. It is a really positive sign for the industry. For the first time the Irish fleet will be allowed to catch in quota over €250 million worth of fish. We acknowledge we have problems in how we allocate that quota in terms of Celtic Sea herring and other fish stocks that are up significantly, such as cod, haddock, whiting. We must make difficult decisions on the herring and boarfish catch. Boarfish is a new species, that only had a quota for the first time last year and has seen a dramatic increase this year from just over 30,000 tones to 82,000 tones. This new species presents us with an interesting and exciting opportunity.
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