Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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486. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which conservation measures already adopted in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy or otherwise continue to improve fish stocks in traditional Irish fishing waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39843/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Irish fishing fleet depends on healthy and sustainable stocks for it’s medium and long term viability. The 2013 Fisheries Impact Assessment which I presented to the Oireachtas late last year acknowledges that while many stocks in which the Irish fleet have an interest are not in a healthy biological state, there has been an improvement in 2012 on the state of the resource base in relation to pressure and state indicators. Of the 59 stocks in which Ireland has a share of the EU TAC, 42% are now fished below FMSY compared to 36% in 2011. The state of the resource base in terms of SSB in relation to biomass trigger points has also improved, with 34% above Btrigger , an increase of 8% on last year. The number of depleted stocks has declined from 12 to 8 and now 14% of stocks are assessed to be depleted.

A Communication from the EU Commission concerning fishing opportunities for 2013 stated that in the Atlantic and nearby areas, the proportion of overfished stocks has fallen almost by half, down to around 47% from 94% in 2004. The new Common Fisheries Policy reform agreement, negotiated to completion under the Irish Presidency will mean real meaningful reform to how EU waters are fished in the future. The agreement is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters, utilising best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas in the future.

A practical and phased discards policy is being introduced where in early years of implementation, TACs and quotas will be set to take account of current levels of discards, which should see quotas increase over time. This means that fishermen will have time to adjust and implement changes that will allow for the avoidance of non target species where there are particular problems with the relevant by-catch (such as that the stock is overfished and needs to be allowed to rebuild).

Setting fishing levels on the basis of the MSY Principle (Maximum Sustainable Yield) will lead to increased fish stocks and ultimately to higher quotas for Irish fishermen over time. It will end the practice of widespread overfishing and mean a more viable fishing industry for the longer term. Setting annual fishing quotas respecting best scientific advice will inevitably lead to increased fish stocks and more sustainable fishing patterns over time.

Technical measures are being introduced to avoid and minimise catches of juvenile fish and the reforms contain a commitment to continue and further strengthen conservation measures in the biologically sensitive area off the South and West coast of Ireland (new Irish box). The commitment to develop and strengthen biologically sensitive areas, with spawning grounds and high populations of juvenile fish will also protect the livelihoods of coastal communities by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in a environmentally responsible manner.