Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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641. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation by segment of mackerel quotas for 2017; the criteria for any proposed change; the strategy to ensure equity in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3999/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I decided that, without prejudice, there is a case for  a review of the policy on allocations between the RSW Pelagic segment and the polyvalent segment of the fleet, taking account of a request by the Irish South &West Fish Producers Organisation.  In that regard, I am restricting consideration to the increased  quota for Ireland in 2017 over that in 2016.  It is important to note that I have not made any decision at this time to change the allocations between the segments in respect of this part of the quota.  All relevant issues will be carefully evaluated and subject to a full consultation with stakeholders before I decide if any amendment to the policy is justified for the proper and effective management of the mackerel fishery.  I circulated an information paper to all stakeholders through the Department’s website and by means of an advertisement in the national press.  Stakeholders are invited to submit  views on this matter in writing to: mackerelconsultation@agriculture.gov.ie  by 28th  February 2017.

To support transparency in this process, it is intended that all views received on the Consultation Document and/or any clarification provided will be publically made available on the Department’s website.  During the period when the formal consultation is open (to the end of February), I have made clear that do not intend to meet any parties on this matter.  Following the closure of the formal consultation process, any meeting that may be held with stakeholders will be open to all interested stakeholders that have engaged in the public consultation. 

Furthermore, as an interim measure, I have allocated the 2016 quota level (75,837 tonnes) in accordance with policy.  In that regard, I have written to the relevant Producer Organisations (POs) seeking their support for a voluntary quota balancing arrangement for the 2016 RSW pelagic segment mackerel fishery in respect of landings arising from the application of the landing obligation. I asked the POs to make contact with their members and encourage them to agree, that any amounts landed in excess of their allocated quota in 2016, arising from the application of the landing obligation, as recorded by the SFPA in 2016, be deducted from their 2017 allocation.  I  have held back 6% of this quota (75,837 tonnes) in order to allow the voluntary quota balancing scheme to be progressed.  I have received the completed documents agreeing to the scheme from one PO and am awaiting the formal response from the other PO. 

My Department is currently awaiting the final figures from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to determine excess landings of mackerel in 2016 in the Tier 1 and Tier 2 polyvalent segment, arising from the application of  the landing obligation.  On receipt of the figures, I will consider the possibility of asking the Producer Organisation to implement a  voluntary scheme for Tier 1 and Tier 2 polyvalent segment vessels as proposed for the RSW pelagic segment.  As soon as this voluntary payback scheme is finalised, I will be in a position to allocate the 6% of the mackerel quota held back for this purpose.