Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the advice on fish stocks published by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) forms the basis of the scientific advice used by the European Commission in proposing Total Allowable Catches (TACs).

The ICES advice for Pollack in ICES Areas 6-7 (the waters around Ireland) for 2024 is for zero catch. A copy of this advice is available on the ICES website (www.ices.dk) from the following link:

(ices-library.figshare.com/articles/report/Pollack_Pollachius_pollachius_in_subareas_6_7_Celtic_Seas_and_the_English_Channel_/21841011?backTo=/collections/ICES_Advice_2023/6398177)

Following the conclusion of the EU-UK negotiations on 2024 fishing opportunities for shared stocks, the parties agreed on a limited, by-catch only TAC for Pollack in Areas 6-7 to avoid a "choke" situation which would lead to the premature closure of whitefish fisheries where Pollack is caught as a by-catch. Given the scientific advice for this stock, the need to balance socio-economic considerations with achieving good biological status for stocks, and taking into account the challenges of managing mixed fisheries, setting a by-catch only TAC is the most appropriate approach.

I am advised that the process leading to the advice for Pollack in 2023 was as accurate as possible, within the process that was established for assessing Pollack. The analytical model used in 2023 allows for a better assessment of stock status, based on more complete data, than the previous method which relied on landings data only.

The assessment method on which this advice is based was updated in 2023 following an ICES benchmark process. A "benchmark" is an ICES process which reviews data, establishes an agreed methodology to assess the stock and defines the reference points for management.

As part of this process, the new analysis was independently peer-reviewed to ensure the best available science is applied. The benchmark process is fully transparent and open to participation by stakeholders. The agreed assessment method is the approach that is most robust to remaining uncertainties around the data while providing advice that is based on maximum sustainable yield (MSY) in the long term.

In addition to the assessment model outputs, are a number of independent indicators that support the perception of a declining trend in the stock size, including length based indicators.

Ireland plays an important role in the scientific research to improve the understanding of the Pollack stock.

Pollack is part of the general sampling programme conducted by the Marine Institute, including port sampling and routine surveys. Work is also ongoing to collect genetic samples of Pollack to tackle uncertainty in stock identity. In addition, a new inshore survey is targeting areas not regularly sampled on the regular survey programme. These habitats are more suitable for Pollack and the data collected may help to build up an enhanced perspective on stock status.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Management arrangements for the State’s fisheries, including the Mackerel fishery, have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the introduction of quotas. Pelagic stocks such as Mackerel are managed on an annual or seasonal basis with catch limits set based on allocation regimes developed over many years and related to historical catch records. Amendments to the Mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation. It should be noted that the 2017 policy is subject to a legal challenge in the Courts.

The allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for vessels under 15 metres in length overall fishing exclusively by hooks and lines was set down in Policy in 2010.

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 of the policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.

There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet.

There is currently no agreement among the sectors of the fleet for change from the current approach.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent regulatory agency as set down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006.

The annual budget allocation enables the SFPA to continue to meet its National and EU obligations as Ireland's Competent Authority for the enforcement of sea fisheries and seafood safety law.

The annual budget details for the SFPA, as per the Revised Book of Estimates, for the period 2019-2024 are as follows:

-	Revised Book of Estimates Allocation	Core/ exchequer	EMFF*/EMFAF	Total
2019	€13,795,000	€13,795,000	€2,700,000*	€16,495,000
2020	€17,361,000	€17,361,000	€2,900,000*	€20,261,000
2021	€24,810,000	€19,002,000	€5,808,000	€24,810,000
2022	€26,257,000	€20,722,000	€5,535,000	€26,257,000
2023	€28,081,000	€22,380,000	€5,701,000	€28,081,000
2024	€27,414,000	€22,575, 000	€4,839,000	€27,414,000

*In 2019 and 2020, the allocations in relation to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which covered the period 2014 to 2020, were managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and so were not included in the allocation for the SFPA as listed in the Revised Book of Estimates.

The successor to the EMFF, the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) runs from 2021 to 2027. From 2021 onwards, the EMFAF allocation has been included in the allocation for the SFPA as listed in the Revised Book of Estimates.