Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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560. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the European Commission’s recent notification to the Faroe Islands regarding sustainable fishing; if he will outline his position relating to the necessary science based management measures to ensure sustainability that the Commission is proposing for the Faroes in line with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25259/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland supported the adoption by Council of Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing. It has also called for its implementation in regard to the long standing dispute on mackerel and most recently on Atlanto Scandian Herring. The European Commission’s recent notification to the Faroe Islands pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 is in relation to their recent actions in the Atlanto Scandian Herring fishery.

Since 1996 the stock of Atlanto Scandian Herring has been jointly managed in a Coastal States Framework with, the Russian Federation, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and the EU.

In 2007, following consultations with the five Coastal States a long term management plan based on scientific advice was agreed by the parties. The intention of the plan was to deliver a sustainable fishery which kept catches within safe biological limits.

In January this year the Faroe Islands withdrew from the Coastal States consultations, indicating their intention to declare an autonomous TAC for 2013. Prior to this withdrawal they had not made any specific demand, nor provided any substantive case for a revised share of the fishing resource. On 23 January this year, the remaining four coastal states set their 2013 quotas in accordance with scientific advice and on the basis of the long term management plan and existing sharing arrangements. The four parties set aside 31,940t for the Faroe Islands equivalent to their traditional share of 5.16% of the overall TAC.

The Faroe Islands subsequently set their own unilateral TAC at 105,230t for 2013; this decision ignores the agreed management plan, the scientifically recommended TAC for the stock and the legitimate rights of the other four coastal states. The notification issued by the Commission to the Faroe Islands pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 is the first step in a process that could lead to the introduction of trade sanctions. However, it is designed to allow the country notified time to consider their position and take whatever remedial action necessary. I support the decision by the Commission to issue this notification, and I am hopeful that a resolution can be found that does not necessitate a further escalation of the process.