Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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68. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has seen the new documentary, Atlantic, and his views on the conclusions it draws for the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14496/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I have not yet had the opportunity to see the film referred to by the Deputy and therefore cannot comment one way or another on its conclusions. My understanding is that this is a documentary about the use of different natural resources, including fish stocks, in three different Atlantic Communities in Ireland, Norway and Canada.

With regard to fish stocks and their use as a natural resource I would make the point that in Ireland, fish quotas are a public resource and are managed directly by the Minister following regular detailed consultation with industry representatives.

There has been pressure over the years to try and force a privatisation of fish quotas through the imposition of what is known as an Individual Transferable Quota or ITQ system. Ireland has successfully resisted this and I am determined that our fish resources will continue to be managed for the overall public good.

I would also like to reference the wider world in which we operate, namely the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This policy provides a framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and 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.

Among the key elements of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should lead over time to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and result in more sustainable fishing patterns. The CFP 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 2020 at the latest. 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.

My overarching goal as Minister responsible for our fishing industry is 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. These objectives must however be balanced 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.