Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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284. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the north west herring fishery will re-open; if he will ensure that there is a ring-fenced quota for vessels under ten metres in length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41808/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The situation with North Western Herring is complex. Historically there were two herring stocks in the north western waters and correspondingly two separate ICES Total Allowable Catch (TAC) areas - Via South/VIIb,c and VIa North. Ireland has a 92% share of VIa south and a 15% share of VIa north.

The TAC for 2015 for VIa south is zero. A mid year review of this stock was undertaken following new advice and a benchmarking exercise by ICES and the advice for 2015 was not changed.  This ICES advice for 2016 is for a zero TAC for both areas and recommends a re-building plan. There is within the advice the possibility of a reduced TAC that would be applicable to both areas. The added complexity is that while it is scientifically acknowledged that there are two separate herring stocks it has not proven possible to provide separate scientific advice. Work is ongoing on this issue but it may take some time before it is possible to supply such separate advice.

The European Commission has yet to make any proposal for North West Herring for 2016. I will be arguing strongly in advance of the December Fisheries Council that a small commercial catch for both areas is justified by the scientific advice and such a quota will facilitate the ongoing work to separate the two stocks. I am also fully supportive of a rebuilding plan as recommended by ICES and supported by the Pelagic Advisory Council.

Consequently, with regard to this stock, my first priority is to try and convince the EU Commission that a small commercial catch is justified. In that regard, I will be working closely with the UK Minister, in particular, who has a strong interest in the VIa north stock and I will be seeking to reach agreement on the allocations between the areas for any such TAC. If I am successful in that endeavour, and given that the TACs and associated quotas are likely to be modest, I will be considering the allocation of this quota on an exceptional basis in consultation with stakeholders taking account of the interests of small operators who have limited other pelagic opportunities.