Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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700. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the consultation process relating to the proposed sharing arrangement between the RSW pelagic fleet and the polyvalent fleet in view of the significant scientific mistake made by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea regarding the 2017 mackerel total allowable catch which eliminates the 14% increase to the Irish fishing sector; the details of the submissions made to that process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18273/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I received a request from the Irish South and West Fish Producer Organisation to allocate the increase over 2016 of Ireland’s mackerel quota for 2017 entirely to the Polyvalent Segment on a 1 year pilot basis in exchange for the recipient vessels forgoing demersal fishing in order to gauge the impact on the demersal vessels.

This matter has generated a lot of discussion in the industry and I have received many representations on the matter. Having carefully considered the matter, 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 request by the IS&WFO. In that regard, I decided that 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.

The public consultation process concluded on 28 February 2017 and 353 submissions were received. All submissions are currently being evaluated.

To support transparency in this process, it is intended that all views received on the Consultation Document and/or any clarification provided will be publicly made available on my Department’s website. 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.