Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that Irish fishermen will retain their fishing entitlements into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25529/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This Government is committed to addressing the challenges facing our seafood sector following the adoption of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA), which has been the most significant and enduring challenge faced by the fisheries sector in generations. I can assure the Deputy that I am pursuing all opportunities at EU level to help address the unequal burden sharing whereby Ireland carries an excessive burden of the EU quota transfers to the UK and I am constantly seeking opportunities for Ireland to increase fishing opportunities where possible.

At the Agri-Fish Council in March I expressed my disappointment that the Commission, in its recent Communication on the functioning of the CFP, did not completely address the impact of the TCA. I have consistently made clear throughout the review process that the Irish Government’s assessment is that the substantial changes brought about in fisheries policy as a result of the TCA requires that a comprehensive review of the CFP be carried out that would support changes to deliver a fair and equitable policy. This review of the implementation of the CFP presented a timely opportunity to address the inequitable impact of the quota transfers under the TCA. However, the existing CFP legal framework does allow for changes to quota sharing arrangements between Member States which could be used to address the impacts of Brexit. I will continue to raise this issue with the Commission and fellow Member States to seek increases in fishing opportunities for Irish fishers.

The increase in fishing opportunities due to long term conservation and sustainability under the framework of the CFP must also be noted. Scientific information on the state of the fisheries exploited by the Irish fleet is compiled by the Marine Institute and is published in the Stock Book each year. The most recent Stock Book, 2022, contains 75 stocks that are subject to the scientific advice of the Marine Institute. From the 75 stocks, 40 are assessed as being sustainably fished in 2022. This number has grown consistently every year since 2013.

This positive trend has led directly to increases in the quotas in 2023 for some of Ireland’s most important commercial stocks including Prawns (nephrops), Celtic Sea Monkfish, Hake and Megrim and North-west Haddock and Whiting.

The reopening of the Spurdog fishery, after it was closed for over ten years to rebuild that stock, is a positive example of sustainable practices bearing fruit. In addition, the North West Herring fishery will be re-opened this year as a commercial fishery. This fishery was closed, other than for the collection of data for scientific purposes, since 2015. Furthermore, the most recent EU-Norway negotiations for 2023 resulted in over 4,000 tonnes of additional Blue Whiting quota for Ireland.

We are seeing the positive results of taking necessary tough action when needed. It will be important that we manage all these fish stocks in order to continue to build on the progress that has been made to date.

I will continue to pursue all opportunities to increase the fishing opportunities for Ireland’s fishing fleet. The Programme for Government sets down an ambitious programme of actions that promote a sustainable seafood industry and 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.