Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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81. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he satisfied regarding the development of the fishing industry here, in the wake of revised European Union agreements, quotas and fishing practices; if he expects families dependent on the fishing industry to continue to achieve a reasonable return for their efforts and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7240/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.

A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should ultimately lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and lead to more sustainable fishing patterns. The new Common Fisheries Policy specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY. I am committed to the ambitious objective of achieving MSY by 2015 where possible and by 2020 at the latest. As president of the Council during the CFP negotiations it fell to me to broker an agreement on this important issue between the co-legislators. In line with the CFP, I consider that for some stocks we will need to phase in delivering MSY if its immediate application seriously jeopardises the social and economic sustainability of the fishing fleet. The TACs and quotas for 2015, as agreed at the December Agriculture & Fisheries Council of Ministers meeting, take account of delivering MSY for 2015 where possible and on a progressive, incremental basis at the latest by 2020 for all stocks.

The introduction of a landing obligation/discarding ban on a phased basis, as set out in the CFP, represents a fundamental shift in fisheries policy and fishing practices. A discards plan for pelagic stocks in North Western Waters, developed by Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, France and Belgium in consultation with the Advisory Council, has been in place since the 1st January 2015. Work on a discard plan for the whitefish & demersal stocks is already under way and is due to come into force on the 1st January 2016. This work is carried out in close consultation with both the Advisory Council and other Member States with fisheries interests in North Western Waters. It is expected that over time the landing obligation will lead to an improvement in the state of the stocks of importance to Ireland and will result in increased fishing opportunities for the Irish fishing industry.

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. This will ensure that families dependent on fishing can look forward to being part of a vibrant, productive and resilient Irish fishing industry and can expect to continue to achieve a reasonable return for their efforts and investment.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is satisfied that the fishing industry here remains sufficiently competitive in terms of costs, as compared with its competitors from overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7241/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The EU Commission published a report on the performance of fishing fleets in respect of 2012. It reports higher market prices and the recovery of some fish stocks helped the EU fishing fleet to again improve its profitability in 2012. It reports that despite the economic crisis and less fish being landed, economic performance has more than doubled over the last 5 years, from 3.2% net profit in 2008 to 6.6% in 2012. These are some of the main findings of the 2014 annual economic report on the EU fishing fleet,produced by the JRC (Joint Research Centre, the European Commission's scientific and technical arm) and independent experts.

The report finds that although generated revenue fell compared to 2011, costs decreased even more, making a €458 million net profit for the EU fleet, performing better than in 2011. This improvement can be attributed to lower labour and capital costs, a steady reduction in fuel consumption, higher market prices for several commercially important species, such as European pilchard, anchovy and brown shrimp, the capacity reduction in some fleet segments, the implementation of long-term management plans and the recovery of some important fish stocks.

Research and innovation projects, implementation of certification schemes and the growing demand for certified products as well as favourable market conditions are some other factors that may also have led to an improved economic performance.

The EU Commission advises that this improvement occurred in spite of sustained high fuel prices and the ongoing economic crisis that continues to affect markets for some species and limit access to credit. Other drivers that may have contributed to deteriorating performance include the reduced amount of fish that can be caught from several key stocks such as European sprat and Atlantic herring, severe weather conditions and, in some areas, damages caused by marine mammals, e.g. seals.

However, this overall positive evolution in 2012 did not apply to all fleets. Of 18 analysed Member States, the report finds that three national fleets (Belgium, The Netherlands and Slovenia) made overall net losses and while the economic performance of the EU large-scale and distant water fleets generally improved over the period 2008-2012, that of the small-scale fleet declined from 13% in 2008 to 3.4% in 2012. The analysis of available data up to 2012 suggests that the performance of the small-scale fleet will deteriorate even further during 2013.

The annual reports on the economic performance of the European fishing fleet are prepared by the JRC and independent experts convened under the auspices of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF).This year's edition is accompanied by a summary report, prepared in cooperation with the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

A fleet report for 2013 for Ireland has been submitted to the EU Commission which will inform it's preparation of a report on the performance of the EU fishing fleets for 2013. A report in respect of 2014 will be prepared and will be submitted in advance of the EU deadline of the end of May 2015.