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

The Fisheries Control Regulation provides for a Union fisheries control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy and establishing a level-playing field across the EU on fisheries control. The current Control Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/2842) entered into force in January 2024 and replaces the previous Control Regulation (Regulation (EC) 1224/2009).

The sales note system is provided for in the Control Regulation as an alternative to sampling plans for vessels under 10 metres, for which logbooks aren't required. The sales note system therefore provides for the collection of landings data in relation to such vessels.

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the single legal competent authority responsible for the collection and reporting of fish landings into Ireland, including the operation of the sales note system. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.

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

The advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) for Pollack in Areas 6-7 (which includes the waters around Ireland) for 2024 is for zero catch. 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.

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme (2021 – 2027), is the primary source of funding for the Irish seafood sector. The objectives set out in the EMFAF Regulation align with those of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and it makes no provision for the fund to be used to compensate fishers for reductions in quota. The UK is no longer a member of the European Union. As such its funding schemes for the seafood sector are not governed by the EMFAF Regulation.

Under our current EMFAF programme my Department is currently working with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to develop and implement funding supports for inshore fishers under a new Inshore Scheme, along with support for onboard investment in larger vessels under a new Sustainable Fisheries Scheme. BIM currently administer a Fleet Safety Scheme providing funding to fishers for safety items, and a Seafood Training Scheme (Fisheries), both of which are open for applications. Funding supports to fishers for economic diversification will also be available via the Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) in due course. My Department and BIM will also be engaging with the inshore sector to progress the development of a successor to the Strategy for Inshore Fisheries Sector 2019-2023 in the coming months, which will provide an opportunity to fully consider the challenges facing the inshore fleet and identify measures to mitigate these challenges.

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

Each year I carry out a Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) to look at the overall impacts the possible fishing opportunities for the following year could have on the sustainability of the fishing sector from a biological, economic and social perspective.

The SIA involves a public consultation process along with expert contributions from the Marine Institute (MI) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). I also meet with stakeholders, including representatives of the Fishing Industry and environmental NGOs, before presenting the SIA to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The SIA is based on the advice on fish stocks published by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

The ICES advice also forms the basis of the scientific advice used by the European Commission in proposing Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and informs the EU's negotiating position for consultations with Third Countries, such as the UK.

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.

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.

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).

I am advised that the ICES stock assessment for Pollack has been thoroughly evaluated and there is no indication that there is a problem with the data. I am further advised that the process leading to the advice for Pollack 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. In addition to the assessment model outputs, there are a number of independent indicators that support the perception of a declining trend in the stock size, including length-based indicators.

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.

Ireland is actively involved with the scientific research to improve the understanding of Pollack. The Marine Institute is taking a leading role in the next ICES benchmark process for this stock, which will be completed in the spring of 2025. An alternative assessment model, one which uses additional sources of data, will be evaluated as part of this process.

While the preliminary results indicate that this extra information does not change the perception of the stock, the new model will give a more precise estimate of the state of the stock and improve short-term forecasts that determine when the target fishery could re-open.

In addition, the Marine Institute is actively working with scientists from the UK and France on a number of fronts, including genetic analysis of Pollack stock structure and analysing historic data from commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries and scientific surveys.

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

The term "co-management" refers to arrangements whereby public administrations, the fisheries sector and relevant stakeholders are involved in the fisheries management process.

Stakeholder engagement is a vital part of fisheries management, both at EU and national level.

Stakeholders, through the Advisory Councils, may submit recommendations or suggestions to the European Commission and Member States on fisheries management matters. In addition, within the framework of regionalisation, the Advisory Councils are fully consulted as part of the process of developing Joint Recommendations such as those relating to the implementation of the landing obligation or on technical measures.

At a national level, stakeholders play an important role in fish quota management through the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). Allocations and other arrangements are decided by the Minister on an ongoing basis having regard for the advice of the QMAC. This Committee is a formal consultative committee, involving fishing industry representatives from the catching, inshore and processing sectors.

The QMAC currently meets on a monthly basis. The purpose of these meetings is to make recommendations to the Minister on monthly/bi-monthly/quarterly regimes for particular stocks and industry representatives bring the benefit of their knowledge and experience of fishing to these discussions. As far as possible, I, as Minister, follow the QMAC's recommendations for regimes for particular stocks, subject to the proper management and rational exploitation of our fisheries. The fish quota management system is designed to ensure, having regard to fishing patterns and market conditions, the best possible spread both between fishing vessel operators and in terms of take up of quota during the year.

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

Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, the majority of Ireland's commercial fish stocks - which were previously exclusively Union resources - are now shared resources under international law. The European Commission has sole competence to negotiate with Third Countries, including the UK, on behalf of the EU on the setting of fishing opportunities.

The bilateral consultations with the UK on setting fishing opportunities for shared fish stocks take place in the autumn. Ahead of this, the Council sets down the Commission's mandate for these negotiations. Ireland inputs into the development of this mandate - and throughout the negotiation process - in order to raise our concerns and priorities.

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) and informs the EU's negotiating position for consultations with Third Countries, such as the UK.

The purpose of the negotiations on fishing opportunities is to agree the Total Allowable Catch amounts for shared fish stocks, rather than to specify the types of gear used in the various fisheries.

Ireland has strongly supported the introduction of more selective and innovative technical measures to reduce catches of juvenile fish and unwanted by-catches. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), working in collaboration with our fishing sector, has been at the forefront of identifying and trialing effective measures. A number of such 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, of which Ireland is a key member.