Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the Celtic Sea herring quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24644/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2011 I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring 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 issued a draft policy for consultation in December 2011. Following this, in February of this year, I met with and consulted the industry on the matter. I have asked my Department to bring to a conclusion as soon as possible the analysis of the data and to bring forward options to integrate where possible the views of the industry with the draft policy already issued. I then intend to make a final decision on the management arrangements for the 2012 herring fisheries. Revised arrangements, if any, will be on the basis that they deliver a proper and effective management regime for the stock.

The herring fisheries fisheries off the South ,West and North West Coasts are all closed at this time of the year as normal and will not re-open till the Autumn.