Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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465. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to seek access to quotas for Irish fishers for fish types such as bluefin tuna, anchovies and others in new EU quota negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42622/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Bluefin tuna is a highly migratory large pelagic species which spawns in the Mediterranean, and then migrates over a wide area of the North East Atlantic to feed.  This migration brings some of the fish into the Irish 200 miles zone for part of the year. At the time we see fish in the Irish zone there are also fish being caught in the international high seas  and over a wide area from Spain to Norway.  There is no survey from which the abundance in Ireland's 200 miles zone may be determined. 

Ireland does not have a national quota for Bluefin Tuna.  The available Bluefin Tuna quota is allocated each year to Member States on the basis of relative stability as established in the late 1990s.  At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for Bluefin Tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation. 

A small Bluefin Tuna by-catch quota is available to Ireland, primarily for use in our important Northern Albacore Tuna fishery and Celtic Sea Herring fishery where there can be Bluefin Tuna by-catch.

In 2018,  Ireland was successful, for the first time, in securing agreement that allowed countries without a commercial quota to set up a catch-tag-release fishery to contribute to the collection of scientific data.  A Catch-Tag-Release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels has been in place in Ireland since 2019 and supports the collection of valuable data  on the migratory patterns of Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters. 

The only way to obtain a share of the EU quota now would involve changing relative stability within the EU.  The EU percentage share of the international TAC is set down and there is no liklihood that an international country will concede any share to the EU.  This means that EU Member States, with a national quota, would give up a share of their allocation to Ireland. 

As regards Anchovy, this species is sometimes caught in the waters around Ireland, although its abundance in catches is highly variable.  Fishing for Anchovy in Area 8 (Bay of Biscay) and Area 9a (Atlantic-Iberian waters) is regulated by the TAC and Quota system.  In recent years, the distribution of Anchovy has expanded into areas not currently covered by TACs and this is thought to be the result of changes in temperature.  In the past, sporadic increases in abundance of Anchovy have been followed by periods of near absence.  Some fishermen have reported catches in two separate locations south of Cape Clear and in Dingle bay recently.  

At this time, there is no proposal from the EU Commission for a TAC and quota management arrangement for this stock in the waters around Ireland.   I will of course have regard for a possible TAC and quota regime or other appropriate conservation measures going forward if  recommended in the scientific advice to support the sustainable management of the stock.

The EU Commission has advised that it intends to commence the Common Fisheries Policy review process when there is clarity on the future relationship between the EU and the UK.  The review is expected to be detailed and comprehensive.   At EU level, it is expected that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to engage actively in the review work including the fishing industry, eNGOs and Member States.  

I will consider how Ireland will prepare for and participate actively and effectively in the review, including the interaction with stakeholders to prepare Ireland's case and identify priorities.  

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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466. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make capital investments in fishing ports during this term of Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42623/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.

The six Fishery Harbour Centres are the essential infrastructure that underpin the Government’s Seafood Strategy. Approximately 85% of all fish landed in Ireland are landed at the Fishery Harbour Centres. The Centres are strategically located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros a Mhíl to further develop a modern offshore Irish fishing fleet and attract the large offshore fishing vessels of other Member States to maximise landings and drive the development of a modern onshore processing industry.

The responsibility for the development and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance, and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.

To provide for the necessary safety, maintenance and ongoing development of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, my Department administers the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. As part of this programme my Department also provides limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. Between 2010 and 2019 almost €161 million has been invested in marine infrastructure under the Capital Development Programme.

In line with normal budgetary processes, funds are made available for this programme on an annual basis. €30 million has been allocated for the 2021 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme.  Final decisions have yet to been made regarding the full suite of projects to be included in the 2021 Programme.