Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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565. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the EU's Common Fisheries Policy objective to restore and maintain populations of harvested species above levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yield, as outlined in Article 2.2 of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation 1380/2013, translates into a requirement to simultaneously fish all stocks at FMSY; if there is no provision preventing the Council from adopting fishing opportunities below the FMSY reference point in order to achieve this objective of the Common Fisheries Policy; the way in which the Council plans to apply the precautionary approach and the way in which it will ensure at least a comparable degree of conservation in line with Article 9(2) of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation 1380/2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32304/17]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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566. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine which by-catches caught when fishing for the stocks in both groups 1 and 2 are defined (details supplied) in view of the mixed nature of North Sea fisheries; the stocks that will be managed as by-catch under this multi-annual plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32305/17]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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567. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there are populations of harvested stocks falling outside Article 2.2 of Regulation 1380/2013 (details supplied); if so, if he will identify the stocks in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32306/17]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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568. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he defines the best available scientific advice (details supplied); his views on whether such advice should be peer reviewed and made publicly available in a timely manner, in advance of decisions by the Council in the interest of transparency and stakeholder access to information and in view of the fact that dialogue with stakeholders has proven to be essential for achieving the objectives of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, as outlined in preamble 65 of Common Fisheries Policy Regulation 1360/2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32307/17]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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569. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the Council's approach in using the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea's maximum sustainable yield advice rule (details supplied) is in line with the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea's advice, in view of the fact that it recommends stricter, narrower ranges if the plan does not include a requirement to follow its maximum sustainable yield rule; his views on following the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea's advice to use stricter ranges in the North Sea multi-annual plan if no requirement to follow its maximum sustainable yield rule is added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32308/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 565 to 569, inclusive, together.

Ireland does not have any demersal fishing opportunities in the North Sea and consequently our direct interest in the negotiations on a new multi annual plan for that sea basin is necessarily limited. We do, however, expect a proposal from the Commission before the end of the year for a similar multi-annual plan for demersal stocks in North Western Waters which will very much be of direct interest and with which we will be very actively engaged as a key player in those waters.

The general aims of the North Sea plan proposal are to aim to ensure that populations of harvested species are above levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield, move towards long-term multi-species management, the full implementation of the landing obligation and the regionalisation of technical measures. All of these aims are fully in line with the objectives and requirements of the Common Fisheries Policy (Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013) which Ireland fully supports.

In particular, Ireland is committed to the objective of achieving the Maximum Sustainable Yield exploitation rate (FMSY) for all stocks by 2020. The 2017 TAC and Quota regulation achieved tangible progress toward this goal of the CFP while also ensuring the economic viability of an industry that supports vital jobs of numerous coastal communities around Ireland. To give an example of the progress made, in the early 2000's, 94% if stocks were overfished while today more than half of the assessed stocks are managed sustainably. Ireland intends to continue to work with all stakeholders, Member States and the Commission to build upon this substantial and tangible progress to achieve the ambitious targets set out in the CFP.

The ongoing implementation of the landing obligation is also a key challenge and priority. This is a radical change in the operation of our fisheries and one that I believe will bring many long term benefits. It is, however, complex and there is intensive work ongoing with stakeholders and the Commission to try and ensure that we get it right. Significant progress has been made to date with the roll out of the landing obligation. From 2019, all stocks subject to catch limits must be landed and we are working hard with our industry and marine agencies as well as with other Member States on improving gear selectivity and other technical measures that aim to significantly reduce unwanted catches

With regard to 'best available scientific advice', Ireland receives expert, impartial advice from the Marine Institute on all matters pertaining to the state of our stocks. The majority of the Marine Institute advice for the TACs and quotas each year is formulated by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to which it is a very active contributor. The Marine Institute also uses advice from the Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). In a minority of cases, the Marine Institute may not agree with some aspects of these advices and may offer alternative advice with a clear rationale. The Minister presents a Sustainability Impact Assessment on the TACs and quotas proposals each year in advance of the December Fisheries Council. This assessment is informed by the advice of the Marine Institute and a socio economic assessment by BIM and the views of stakeholders following a public consultation. This work informs Ireland's position on any Commission proposal.

I look forward to engaging closely with the Deputy and all interested stakeholders, both from industry and wider civic society, on the proposal for a multi annual plan for North Western waters when it is published, to ensure that we have a plan fit for purpose that enhances the long terms sustainability of the stocks upon which our coastal communities depend.