Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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160. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to establish a sentinel fishery for the north west herring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33199/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In 2011, the Minister of the day asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, including the North West stock. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. As a result 20 sets of proposals and comments in relation to herring stocks management were received. It was very clear from this that there was no agreement within the industry as to how the future herring fishing opportunities should be managed.  Taking account as far as possible of the views of stakeholders, a draft policy document was  prepared and published for consultation.  49 submissions were received, again often conflicting and a further meeting with  those who had made submissions was held in February 2012 regarding the draft policy, again there was no consensus. 

Having considered all views and having regard to the sustainability of the fisheries, the Minister came to a decision setting down a detailed policy, which I believe provides for the proper and effective management and conservation and rational exploitation of the herring stocks.  In order to provide for the needs of inshore herring fishers, which did not have the required track record under the policy, smaller vessels under 20m in length have access to an open herring  fishery in the North West of up to 5% of the Area 6A South adjusted quota.  

Periodic allocations are made available for operators covered by these arrangements. When there is a commercial  TAC set for the area, each month I would expect to receive recommendations from industry representatives at the Quota Management Advisory Committee in relation to the monthly amounts available to the small boat herring fisheries.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas - ICES recommended a Zero Total Allowable Catch in area 6A South in 2015 and initially in 2016. In order to provide for the collection of scientific data, the EU Council set a TAC of 1,630 tonnes for Area 6A South, involving an Irish quota of 1,482t.

A public consultation took place on a recommendation from the four Producer Organisations and the Inshore Fisheries Forum to provide for the necessary scientific data sampling.  Having considered all submissions made, I approved the industry recommendation.  Allocations made on this basis in 2016 are done on an exceptional basis for data collection purposes. If a non scientific TAC is set in future years the arrangements set down in the 2012 herring policy will continue to apply.