Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, has said that he is “delighted” with the outcome of the December Fisheries Council.
Minister Coveney said, "I am delighted at the outcome of these negotiations which delivered my key priorities and will allow the Irish fishing fleet to look forward to 2012 with optimism. The measures agreed in these negotiations will maximise employment and economic activity in our coastal communities."
The Minister said that he had secured "141,000t of pelagic and tuna quotas and 36,000t of whitefish. I am satisfied that this will provide an excellent range of opportunities for our fishing industry in 2012."
Mr Coveney described the reopening of the Irish Sea prawn fishery as "a very significant hard-won achievement, which will allow Irish fishing vessels to return to this important fishery immediately." This fishery had been closed in mid-October and was due to remain closed until 1 February 2012 but will now reopen after additional fishing effort entitlements for the Irish fleet were secured.
The Minister highlighted the agreement on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas in 2012 on a number of species of particular economic importance to the Irish industry including the agreement to maintain quotas of prawns in the Irish Sea and off the south and south-west coasts. This fishery is estimated to be worth €52 million in 2012.
The Irish quota for cod in the Celtic Sea is increasing by 77%. Quotas for haddock and whiting in the Celtic Sea will be increased by 25% and 15% respectively, even though the original Commission proposal was for a 25% reduction in both stocks. The Minister said that the increases in these quotas would be worth an extra €3.5 to the south coast fishing industry.
Quotas for pollock and saithe in the Celtic Sea will remain at existing levels next year, and the Irish quota for Celtic Sea herring is increasing from 11,407t to 18,236t, a 60%increase. "These are valuable quota increases and will support additional onshore employment in the processing industry," the Minister said.
The Minister also negotiated a very significant increase in the Irish quota of 155% for the spring boarfish fishery off the south-west coast. There is also a very significant increase of 200% in the haddock quota off Donegal.
Mr Coveney recognised the position in relation to cod in the Irish Sea and accepted the proposal to reduce the TAC for 2012 by 25%. "This approach is consistent with scientific advice and adherence with the Long Term Management Plan, which is designed to ensure that the stock recovers to sustainable levels in the future. This is vitally important from both an industry and conservation perspective."
The important €9 million quota for the albocore tuna summer fishery, off the south-west coast, has been increased by 342t to 3,896t for 2012. The blue whiting quota for the spring fishery, off the north-west coast, has increased from 1,187t this year to 7,498t for 2012.
