Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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At the Fisheries Council in December 2023, I secured additional mackerel quota-share worth approximately €3 million annually for Ireland’s fishing industry. This represents the first ever permanent increase in mackerel quota.

This issue centred on the allocation and distribution of an EU mackerel quota historically linked to an agreement with Norway, which had been unallocated since 2022. Denmark had been the sole holder of this quota. However, without an agreement on mackerel in place between the EU and Norway, this quota could not be allocated to Denmark as it had been in the past.

The solution adopted by Member States at the December Council involves a transfer of part of this quota to the Western Waters area, resulting in a permanent allocation of additional mackerel quota for the Irish fleet.

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.

I am currently considering options on how the additional mackerel quota available for 2024 can be addressed in the context of the national mackerel policy.