Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine not to proceed with the current proposals to distribute the boar fish allocation on an open draw basis, as the nine boats who caught their allocation in the 400 tonne boat allocation sector in the Spring should get their share of the allocation of which they were promised; his views on whether the current proposals to allocate on an open draw, one pair quota system is unjust and unfair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56375/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As of 31/10/2012 the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) advised that 4,350 tonnes of Boarfish quota remained, this cannot be carried forward to 2013. A small amount was retained for a by-catch.

In order to ensure that this quota was fully utilised it was important to manage the allocations from a practical and economic perspective, in the most effective way possible. The re-allocation of quota at the end of October was subject to vessels having landed 65% of their catch-limit by 31/10/12. Given the numbers which qualified under this arrangement, a proportional division to all vessels would, in my view, not have provided the optimum management arrangements for the fishery. Based on the fishing pattern available there was a very real likelihood that a substantial portion of the quota would remain uncaught and because it could not be carried forward to 2013, entirely lost to the industry.

For this reason, I decided the industry should determine the number of vessels in both the ring fenced portion and open fishery which should be given an allocation taking account of the practicalities and economics of the fishery. The amount available was allocated in the existing ratio of 85% for the ring fenced group 15% for open fishery. In line with the published management arrangements, only vessels which landed 65% of their allocation/catch-limit in the first fishing period were considered for the re-allocation.

The FIF recommend the allocations and vessel numbers for the re-allocation as the industry themselves are best placed to fully understand the vessel numbers and allocations which would assist with a full utilisation of the national quota. A draw was held, witnessed by Industry representatives in which two pairs were drawn from the non allocated group which received 322 tonnes per pair and two pairs from the ring fenced group which received 1200 tonnes per pair.

The deputy refers to a promise which I take to mean in relation to reallocation. Neither I nor my Department made such a promise, the only undertaking given was that these boats would be included in any allocation process if they met the landing requirement for the first period. The communication which issued from my Department on 7/2/2012 along with Determination (No.18) of the Need for an Authorisation for Certain Fish Stocks specifically stated:

“Vessels without track record to have a catch limit of 400 tonnes for the 1^st period (up from 150 tonnes to 400 tonnes): vessels which land 65% of the 400 tonnes will under the revised arrangements be included for any re-allocation in the 2^nd period. “

There are no undertakings with regard to the process for re-allocation.

I believe the management arrangements put in place for the re-allocation will deliver a proper and effective management regime for this fishery.