Written answers

Thursday, 19 June 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Common Fisheries Policy Reform

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent of the benefits accruing to the fishing industry with particular reference to those families depending on the sector arising from EU fisheries policy reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26525/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s overarching goal, when negotiating the revised Common Fisheries Policy, was to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to safeguard fish stocks for future generations. I strongly believe that the new CFP will achieve that goal.

A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of the MSY Principle (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for Irish fishermen and more sustainable fishing patterns.

The reform also contains a commitment to continue and further strengthen conservation measures in the biologically sensitive areas, including that off the South and West coast of Ireland (new Irish box). This commitment will also protect the livelihoods of coastal communities, including those families depending on the sector, by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in an environmentally responsible manner. A new framework of Technical measures will also be introduced to avoid and minimise catches of juvenile fish.

Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, I recently secured € 148m of EU funding for the period 2014 to 2020. This will support the fishing industry adapt to the new CFP and support development of the Irish seafood industry and the coastal communities and families that depend upon it. Ireland must now prepare a programme setting out the arrangements for spending the fund and submit this to the Commission by 20 October 2014.

My Department has been working on the new Operational Programme since 2013 and has engaged with stakeholders on a number of occasions to date. Further public consultation and strategic environmental assessment will take place over the coming months.

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