Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the representatives of the fishing industry who were consulted regarding the arrangements governing the carry over of catch in the north west and Celtic Sea herring fisheries. [5303/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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A Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee, comprising representatives of all the major players in the fishery, both the catching and processing sectors, is in place and makes recommendations in relation to the management of that fishery. The organisations represented on the Committee are the Killybegs Fishermens' Organisation, the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, the Irish South and West Fishermens' Organisation and the Irish South and East Fishermens' Organisation.

In relation to the North West Herring Fishery, the Department sought views on management arrangements for the fishery from the catching and processing sectors. Again all the representative organisations were involved. The proposals for the two herring fisheries were discussed at a meeting between the industry and officials on 12 December 2006 and general support was secured for management proposals for the Spring fishery. I have endeavoured to seek the full involvement of industry in drawing up arrangement s for the management of fisheries. In relation to the North West Herring Fishery and the Celtic Sea Herring Fishery, the current arrangements were recommended by industry.

The primary role of industry in the management of fisheries is recognised and supported in the Strategic Review of the Seafood Sector "Steering a New Course, Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007–2013", which was launched on 28 January. The need for stakeholder supported, commercially aware fisheries management policies and procedures, based on strict compliance with quotas and other National and EU regulations, is a key recommendation of the report. I have appointed Dr. Noel Cawley as Chairman of the Implementation group for the Report and I look forward to the early implementation of this and other recommendations.