Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a coherent system for the distribution of the mackerel quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32965/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Arrangements for the management of the mackerel quota have been in place for many years. These arrangements set individual catch limits for the 23 vessels in the dedicated pelagic segment of the Irish fleet, which is primarily based in the north west, Killybegs.

The vessels outside of the pelagic segment have traditionally caught comparatively small amounts of the stock, normally less than 1,000 tonnes. In 1999-2000, new vessels were introduced into the polyvalent segment of the fleet which are particularly suited to catching pelagic species. As a result of this change, the mackerel arrangements were reviewed in 2001 taking into account all of the issues and views expressed by the industry. To reflect the changes in the fleet and to balance the interests of all parties in this fishery, a maximum catch limit of 7,000 tonnes of mackerel quota was set for the vessels in the polyvalent segment of the fleet.

This represented a significant increase in the mackerel quota available to these vessels which, as the total Irish quota could not be increased, was taken off the quota that previously would have been given to the north west pelagic vessels. Subsequent to this change the national mackerel quota has decreased from approximately 70,000 tonnes to below 50,000 tonnes and, accordingly, the proportionate share available to vessels in the polyvalent segment has increased.

Accordingly, I consider that the current arrangements represent a fair and coherent system and I have no plans to introduce any further changes to them.