Written answers

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Department of Agriculture and Food

Fisheries Protection

6:00 am

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the EU Norway negotiations in relation to mackerel fishing to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3699/10]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Annual bi-lateral negotiations with Norway concluded late yesterday evening after a marathon session which commenced on Tuesday 19th January. Indeed this session follows three other such meetings – two in Bergen, Norway and one in Brussels – which were held in November and December last.

The EU/Norway agreement forms part of what are collectively known as the "Northern Agreements". These include another bilateral agreement between the EU and the Faroe Islands as well as a number of multi-lateral agreements on the management of certain fish stocks in which Ireland have an interest. These include: mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto Scandian herring.

These consultations are an integral part of the EU fisheries landscape and, though each is a separate strand, they are inextricably linked. The consultations allow for appropriate management arrangements to be put in place for relevant stocks while still efficiently maximising fishing opportunities.

Negotiations with Norway are normally complex, and this year the complexity was exacerbated by the failure to reach agreement on Mackerel at Coastal States. A number of factors contributed to this. First, new control arrangements were introduced in August on foot of evidence of misreporting by Norwegian vessels as to where they caught their mackerel. In October, EU waters were closed to Norwegian vessels as they had reached their access limit as set out in the 2009 agreement, a fact hotly disputed by Norway. Added to the mix was the question of dealing with Iceland's olympic fishery, the independent mackerel TACs set by Norway and the Faroe Islands and the demand by the Faroes for additional quota. These issues meant that relations with Norway were strained more than usual, resulting in a long and drawn out negotiation process, which has thankfully concluded successfully.

Let me say that the detailed management arrangements for mackerel have normally been dealt with in the Coastal States forum. At a Coastal States meeting convened in Clonakilty in October, it was evident that both parties wanted to enter into a long-term arrangement on the management of that stock that would encompass issues such as reciprocal access, control, inter-annual quota flexibilities, etc. It was not possible to reach agreement at that meeting or at a subsequent 2nd round in Edinburgh. This was due mainly to a refusal by the Faroe Islands (which is a party to the negotiations) to negotiate unless they were guaranteed more quota.

Norway and the EU, as the largest share holders of the stock, wanted to progress the matter bi-laterally, particularly with a mind to having a unified stance when it comes to talks with Iceland in the Spring. This proved extremely difficult to achieve, due in no small part to sensitivities with regard to recent actions already mentioned.

However I am glad to relate that progress has been made and, with compromises from both sides, a separate comprehensive 10-year deal on mackerel arrangements has been achieved. This would commence in 2011, encompass all management issues, and will enable both our fleets have more efficient, stable and secure fishery into the future. It cements the relative sharing arrangement between the EU and Norway, which will remain constant after the Faroes and Iceland join a new Coastal States arrangement. It will also allow both parties to commence talks with the Faroe Islands and Iceland from a position of unified strength. Interim arrangements have been put in place for 2010.

It should be noted that the normal bi-lateral agreements between the EU and Norway, and indeed EU and the Faroes, allows for a transfer of fishing opportunities between the parties with the EU in particular gaining important access to fish Norwegian stocks, mainly Arctic Cod which is paid for by EU stocks of which certain pelagic species in particular, Blue Whiting and Horse Mackerel form a significant element of the balance offered to Norway. Ireland benefits little from the exchanges in terms of Arctic Cod or other access, and we contribute disproportionately in terms in terms of the pelagic stocks transferred to Norway. This has been a major bone of contention over many years.

This year Minister Killeen was successful in eliciting a statement from the European Commission at the December Fisheries Council where they undertook that:-

"Bearing in mind that Member States benefit to a different degree from the exchange of fishing opportunities with Norway, the Commission shall endeavour to ensure that the costs and benefits for individual Member States of the annual arrangements with Norway should be as balanced as possible."

I am glad to inform the house that when taking the Faroes and Norwegian transfers together, in 2010 Ireland will contribute approximately half the level of Horse Mackerel transferred in 2009 while the Blue Whiting contribution will be reduced slightly.

We have come a long way since the beginning of this process last October and I am happy that a balanced agreement has been arrived at in relation to the exchange of fishing opportunities for 2010, which takes account of the Commission statement at December Council and which will give immediate economic benefit for our pelagic fishermen in 2010.

Additionally securing a long term framework with Norway on the management of mackerel will provide much needed stability and security for our processors and fishermen into the future.

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