Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1872. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of mackerel quota Ireland has; the way in which the mackerel quota is allocated; the criteria used when allocating the quota; the person or body that is entitled to apply for mackerel quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19823/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1880. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria that are used when allocating mackerel quota to vessels exceeding 15 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19860/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1881. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria that are used when allocating mackerel quota to vessels under 15 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19861/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1872, 1880 and 1881 together.

Management of the national mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy, which has been developed and put in place over many years going back to the early years when EU TACs and quotas were set for this stock. Amendments to this policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation.

For 2022, Ireland’s national Mackerel Quota has been set at 54,992 tonnes.

Mackerel management policy sets down:

Where Ireland’s mackerel quota in the annual TAC and Quota Regulation is 90,000 tonnes or below, mackerel is shared out on an 87% -13% basis between the RSW Pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment. The share out is applied after the deduction for contingency, swaps, carry over/deductions (as provided for by EU Regulation) and the allocation set aside for hook and line fishery for vessels under 15 metres.

Where Ireland’s mackerel quota in the annual TAC and Quota Regulation is above 90,000 tonnes, the share out is adjusted so that the element in excess of 90,000 tonnes is shared 80% - 20% between the RSW pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment. The balance below 90,000 tonnes will be shared out on an 87% -13% basis between the RSW Pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment.  The share out is applied after the deduction for contingency, swaps, carry over/deductions (as provided for by EU Regulation) and the allocation set aside for hook and line fishery for vessels under 15 metres.

A minimum of 2% of the mackerel quota (1,100 tonnes in 2022) in the TAC and Quota Regulation or 1,000 tonnes, whichever is greater, is deducted annually for demersal swaps before any share out between segments is undertaken.

The RSW pelagic segment comprises of 23 vessels. In accordance with mackerel policy, 87% of the national annual quota (45,010 tonnes in 2022) is available for this segment.  There are three ratios within this segment: 8 vessels with ratio 10, 9 vessels with ratio 7, and 6 vessels with ratio 5.

There are 4 categories of polyvalent vessels permitted to land mackerel. In accordance with policy, 13% of the national annual quota (6,739 tonnes in 2022) is available for this segment. Mackerel Policy provides that 76.50% of the 13% (5,155 tonnes in 2022) is made available to 15 Tier 1 vessels, and 21% of the 13% (1,415 tonnes in 2022) is made available to 12 Tier 2 vessels.  Access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 catch limits was determined using track record set down in 2010. Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels receive a catch limit for the period 01 January to 30 November each year.

The remaining 2.50% of the 13% quota available for polyvalent vessels (168 tonnes in 2022) is made available to under 18 metre vessels (including under 15 metre vessels) fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line.  Catch limits are set by monthly Fisheries Management Notice. The catch limit for the month of April is 3 tonnes. This catch limit is open to all polyvalent vessel under 18 metres in length overall fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line.

An allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels (under 15 metre vessels) fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line is set down in Policy in 2010.  The then Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation, however this amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery (the available quota of 400 tonnes had not been caught for all years up to and including 2019). The 400 tonnes is taken off the top of the annual national quota before the polyvalent segment/RSW Pelagic segment split, and does not come out of the 13% polyvalent quota.

The management arrangements, within the policy, for the Mackerel hook and line fishery has been on the agenda and discussed with Industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). It is important to note that the remit of the QMAC is to examine and make recommendations within Ministerial Policy. I have asked the QMAC to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 Mackerel hook and line fishery, within the policy, for my consideration.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1873. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of Irish mackerel quota that was landed in Irish ports from January 2019 to date in 2022, tabular form. [19824/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The monitoring and control of fisheries within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities.  Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service.  As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.

The landing data requested by the Deputy is compiled by and available from the SFPA. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests for this data to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1874. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that he assesses the impact of various fishing methods on the environment in accordance with its obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19825/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The requirements in respect of fishing methods are set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, also known as the Technical Measures Regulation. Technical measures are rules on how, where and when fishers may fish and also include gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches. Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 sets out the technical measures for the North Western Waters area, which includes the waters around Ireland.

Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 simplified the rule structure for technical measures as it replaced a range of different regulations that had previously been in place.

In addition, the Technical Measures Regulation facilitates a regionalised approach.  The regulation sets out the minimum standards for a sea basin, such as the North Western Waters region, and Member States in that area, in consultation with stakeholders, may propose additional measures through a Joint Recommendation. My Department and experts from BIM and the Marine Institute actively engage with the relevant other Member States in this forum  to seek agreement on enhanced technical measures, when such measures are demonstrated to improve selectivity and/or protect juvenile or depleted stocks. The Technical Measures Regulation is therefore one of the key elements contributing to the conservation and sustainability of fish stocks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fishing in the waters around Ireland and throughout EU waters.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1875. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the incentives that have been provided to fishing vessels deploying selective fishing gear and techniques with reduced environment impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19826/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has strongly supported the introduction of more selective fishing gear to reduce catches of juvenile fish and unwanted by-catches. In the past, fishing gear trials have been carried out in our main fisheries working in collaboration with our fishing sector. A number of changes to fishing gear and practices which demonstrate improved selectivity have been adopted at EU level following recommendations from the North West Waters Member States Group (Ireland is a key member of the Group).

From time to time, the quota system is used to incentivise the introduction of environmentally friendly fishing gear in particular fisheries or for particular types of vessels usually in advance of seeking to implement change at EU level. There are currently no incentives in place in respect of the use of selective fishing gear or using fishing techniques with reduced environmental impact. However, I continue to leave the option open.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1876. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes in mackerel quota allocation that have been implemented as a direct result of his assessment of environmental impact of the fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19854/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, in Ireland, fishing quota, including pelagic stocks such as Mackerel, is a public resource and is managed to provide for proper management and conservation and rational exploitation of the State’s fishing quotas. The arrangements have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy and the introduction of quotas. Amendments to the mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation.

Atlantic Mackerel is a widely  distributed, migratory pelagic fish that inhabits much of the north-eastern Atlantic shelf. The setting of Total Allowable Catches and quotas each year for this stocks is based on  annual scientific advice by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and given the international dimension of this stock, TACs are set within the relevant international fora.

Consultation on the management of quota within National  Policy is carried out each month at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting involving fishing industry representatives from the catching and processing sectors, the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. The purpose of these meetings is to make recommendations to me on the management of particular stocks within national policy and, as far as possible, I follow their recommendations, subject to the proper management and rational exploitation of our fisheries.

Pelagic issues, including in relation to the management of the Mackerel quota allocation as set down in national policy, where relevant, are discussed at the QMAC and recommendations brought to my attention to inform my decision.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1877. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for the exclusion of the hook and line fishery from the last review of the distribution of the national mackerel quota which took place in 2017; the urgent steps that he is taking to institute a comprehensive review of this inequitable distribution system in response to the continuing crisis in the inshore fishery sector and to the vastly changed circumstances that currently apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19857/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Management of the national mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy which has been developed and put in place over a number of years.  The allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels using hook and line as a means of fishing was set down in Ministerial Policy in 2010.  The Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation. This amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery - for all years up to and including 2019, the 400 tonne quota was not fully utilised by the sector.  In 2019, for example, the uptake figure for the fishery was 298 tonnes.

In order to amend mackerel policy, I as Minister must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect policy, it would require due process involving an assessment of all issues arising, including full public consultation.

There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for access to and a higher share of the mackerel quota. Mackerel is the stock most impacted by Brexit. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota by 2026 to the UK. This will only increase demands for higher shares of Ireland’s quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet. It is worth noting that the 400 tonnes for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced. Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase for any, such as the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the EU-UK TCA.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1878. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the State’s mackerel quota that has been allocated to vessels exceeding 15 mfrom January 2019 to date, in tabular form. [19858/22]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1879. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the State’s mackerel quota that was allocated to vessels under 15 mfrom January 2019 to date, in tabular form. [19859/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1878 and 1879 together.

The percentages of the State's mackerel quota allocated to vessels over and under 15 metres from January 2019 are contained in the following table.