Written answers

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fishing Industry

Photo of Duncan SmithDuncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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785. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the assessment by an organisation (details supplied) of the Common Fisheries Policy 2020; his views on the need to develop sustainable fishing limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35157/20]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The recent report on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) from BirdWatch Ireland puts forward its assessment of the implementation of the CFP and recommendations for future development.

However, a number of the findings do not provide a true reflection of situation on the ground and the extensive work that has been carried out to improve our seas. For example, for 2020, 62 out of 78 TACs discussed at December Council 2019 were set at or below the level of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). This is compared to only 5 stocks in 2009. This is clear evidence of progress through the CFP and the shared aim of sustainable fishing.

The report implies that Ireland deliberately sought to have TACs set in excess of the scientific advice and attempted to ignore or downplay the specific circumstances of each stock. These findings do not reflect the complexity of fisheries management and the TAC-setting mechanisms and the relationship to scientific advice.

Ireland’s goals for sustainable fisheries are supported through the Common Fisheries Policy. The CFP provides the framework for the long-term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. The CFP utilises the best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas.

The European Commission makes proposals each year for TAC levels for each stock - these are based on formal advice received from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), the independent international body with responsibility for advising on the state of fish stocks. It also takes account of the views of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), which gives the Commission its views on the economic, technical and social impacts of the scientific advice. The TAC’s are adopted by the EU Council which involves all Member States and the Commission – not just Ireland. The vast majority of stocks in which Ireland has an interest are shared with other Member States and each has their own views and concerns.

At last year’s December Council, TACs and quotas were agreed for 47 stocks of interest to Ireland. For 32 target stocks, the TACs for 2020 were set at or below the scientific advice where available, meeting MSY criteria. For 4 vulnerable stocks of interest to Ireland, where the advice was for no fishing, restrictive TACs and quotas were set. This allows for unavoidable by-catches of these stocks, in circumstances where they are part of mixed fisheries. The Council also agreed to very small TACs and quotas to allow for the collection of scientific data for 3 depleted herring stocks. For the 8 remaining stocks, it was agreed to set precautionary quotas considering the scientific advice available, and the status of many of these as minor by-catches.

Last week, I launched a public consultation on the Commission’s proposal for 2021 fishing opportunities and the scientific advice for stocks as part of my Sustainability Impact Assessment. Each year, in order to inform Ireland’s approach to the December Fisheries Council, an assessment of the potential impacts of the Commission proposal undertaken. To facilitate the assessment, an open consultation process is carried out, whereby stakeholders may submit comments and observations. I plan also to meet with stakeholders, including environmental NGO’s, in advance of the December Council. The Sustainability Impact Assessment, which is informed by the scientific and technical experts of the Marine Institute and BIM and the views received from stakeholders, will be presented to the Oireachtas and I will discuss the issues and concerns with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Food and the Marine in advance of the negotiations on TACs and quota setting for 2021. The negotiations this year will involve EU negotiations with the UK in respect of shared stocks.

The Programme for Government sets down an ambitious programme of actions that promote a sustainable seafood industry, technical measures that promote sustainability, decrease by-catch and protect fish stocks for the future, aggressively tackle the issue of waste in our seas, work to eliminate illegal fishing and promote a culture of compliance.

I am committed to working to continue to build on the progress that has been made to secure a sustainable future for our fishing industry and the coastal communities which depend upon it.

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