Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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84. 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. [43470/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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85. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the context of any discussions with his EU colleagues, particular reference continues to be made to the effectiveness of conservation measures throughout the European Union, with particular reference to different fish species or those deemed to be most vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43471/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.

The new CFP, which was negotiated to completion under the Irish presidency, will ensure 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.

As well as providing the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the new CFP will result in 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 will 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 policy provides for the development of measures appropriate for each region by the member States working with the stakeholders through the new Advisory Councils to devise and implement measures that work for the types of fisheries in the region and involving fishermen in the decision making process.

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 by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in an environmentally responsible manner

From the outset of the Common Fisheries Policy revision process, Ireland's overarching goal 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 take great comfort in the Commission's most recent assessment that the state of fish stocks in European Atlantic and nearby waters continues to improve which indicates that we are finally starting to see the benefits of prudent and responsible fisheries management practices. I am confident that we will continue to make significant progress as we commence the implementation of setting TACs under the new reformed CFP.

The Commission make clear that we must make progress on setting TACs in accordance with fMSY and clearly this will be a challenge over the coming few years.

Ireland is committed to implementing this ambitious policy in a rational and progressive manner. In line with the policy, we consider that we will need to phase in delivering fMSY if its immediate application seriously jeopardises the social and economic sustainability of the fishing fleet. We are facing the additional challenge of implementing the landing obligation and in line with the new CFP, increasing TACs to take account of the current levels of discards. Clearly the challenge will be managing this situation in tandem with delivering fMSY for all stocks by 2020 at the latest.