Written answers

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Common Fisheries Policy

Photo of Michael CollinsMichael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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2039. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a way of seeking additional unused non-national EU quota (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15758/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record).  The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, on the basis of a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The Hague Preferences give Ireland an increased share of traditional stocks (cod, whiting, haddock, sole and plaice) when Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels reduce below a specified level.

Any change to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system. This would require other Member States to give up existing quota shares. Any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other Member States and therefore poses particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context.

The CFP is reviewed every 10 years and the next review is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2022 when the European Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP.  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 upcoming review of the CFP, including the interaction with stakeholders, to prepare Ireland's case and identify priorities.  I have previously stated that I am committed to doing all possible through the review of the CFP to secure additional quota where possible for Irish fishers.  The Programme for Government sets down an ambitious programme of actions that promote a sustainable seafood industry and we are 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.

If an EU Member State wishes to seek additional quota for a certain species, a quota swap can be agreed with another EU Member State. For example, Ireland may seek an exchange of quota with another Member State to cover a shortfall in quota (or effort) for a fish stock in an area for the year. Conversely, Ireland may receive a request from another Member State for a quota swap.  Each swap proposal is considered on a case-by-case basis by my Department taking into account the views and recommendation of  the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC), taking into account ratios and market prices to ensure all agreed swaps are equitable.

Quotas are swapped on a temporary basis but continuously repeated yearly exchange is also possible. Ireland has long established relationships with a number of EU member states where certain swaps are carried out on a yearly basis, provided Ireland has sufficient quota available for the stock for the area.

As the Deputy is aware, it is long-standing Government policy that fishing quotas are a national asset and the responsibility for the administration of quota rests with the Minister alone. In Ireland, quota is managed to ensure that property rights are not granted to individual operators. Ireland remains one of the very few EU Member States with a system of public ownership.

While Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) which permits the transfer/sale of quotas may work for some Member States, it would not work for Ireland where we have a network of small rural coastal communities dependant on our fishing fleet, large and small, demersal and pelagic. The Irish fishing fleet is for the most part made up of family owned vessels with strong links to their home ports. These families have a long tradition in fishing with generations succeeding each other into the industry.

I have no doubt that if ITQs were put in place, our quotas both whitefish and pelagic would be purchased by large European fishing conglomerates, with no socio or economic links to our ports, and landed elsewhere, with the resultant loss of jobs and economic activity around our coast. For Ireland, this scenario would wipe out our fishing industry and we would not get the benefit from the rich fisheries resources in the waters around our coasts.  The introduction of an ITQ system in other Member States has led to the concentration of quotas in the hands of large international companies. Such a move in Ireland would be contrary to the State’s best interests.

The issue of mandatory ITQs formed a part of the EU Commission proposal for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2011.  This proposal was rejected following a strong case made by Ireland that management of quotas should be a matter of national competence.

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