Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which adequate provision has been made to ensure the survival of families dependent on the fishing industry in the context of EU fishing policy review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53584/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will provide the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing while supporting the communities that depend on a vibrant fishing industry. The package agreed will support the rebuilding of fish stocks in European waters and will allow for setting TACs and quotas to reflect catches when a landing obligation is introduced on the basis that for the first and subsequent years, discarding of that stock no longer be allowed. In the longer term as fish stocks reach and are maintained at healthy levels, it will support increased fishing opportunities for our fishermen.

The commitment to develop and strengthen biologically sensitive areas, with spawning grounds and high populations of juvenile fish, will protect the livelihoods of coastal communities by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in an environmentally responsible manner.

I am committed to continuing the path set out in Food Harvest 2020 for the development of the seafood sector in Ireland into 2014. The strategy set out in Food Harvest involves both the processing and aquaculture sectors and to date data from BIM indicate that added-value sales has increased by €50 million in 2013 alone.

I am fully supportive of implementing appropriate measures to achieve the objectives set out in the CFP reform and food Harvest 2020 which will bring real and meaningful reform and development in the seafood sector.