Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Each month I receive recommendations from industry representatives at the Quota Management Advisory Committee in relation to the periodic amounts, usually monthly for demersal stocks. Under the current arrangements, a formal Whitefish Quota Management Advisory Committee involving fishing industry representatives meets each month and as far as possible I take account of their recommendations for monthly regimes for particular stocks. Additional meetings are organised as required to discuss specific issues in particular fisheries that may arise, including in relation to pelagic stocks. The Committee is comprised of representatives from the Fish Producer Organisations, National Inshore Fishery Forum, Fishing Co-Operatives, The Irish Fish Producers and Exporters Association and meetings are attended by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and officials from my Department. In addition the Marine Institute and Board Iascaigh Mhara occasionally provide consultative support.

My officials brought the request made by the Deputy to the attention of the Whitefish Quota Management Advisory Committee this week and the request was considered by the committee when making recommendations for February. On receipt of the quota recommendation from the Committee together with the background information and recommendation from my Department I will make a decision on the whitefish regimes which will apply in February 2016.