A decision has been reached on the mackerel policy review which is centred on the local industry in Killybegs.
Michael Creed T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has tonight announced the decision to continue to split the mackerel quota as before up to and including 90,000 tonnes.
Donegal Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed the decision by his Cabinet colleague, which follows a review by Minister Creed and submissions from fishermen and processors in Killybegs as well as others in the industry.
Minister McHugh said: “The quota has been high in recent years and has not exceeded 90,000 tonnes so this now gives a level of certainty to a national industry which is centred on Killybegs.
“Every tonne after 90,000 tonnes – should the quota ever go above that figure – will be split on a 80-20 basis with the Cork-based sector.
“However the important thing here is that the first 90,000 tonnes will continue to be split on an 87-13 basis, that is 87 per cent with the Killybegs based sector, which provides certainty for everyone.
“I know already from talking to many of those in the industry in the last hour or two that this news is being received very well indeed.
“As everyone knows here in Donegal I opposed the review taking place at all but it did go ahead and I want to play tribute to the KFO and others whose argument all along was solid and based on the realities they face every day.
“This decision will now allow all those fishing out of Killybegs and the processors in the county to move ahead and continue their investment in their industry.”
Minister McHugh added: “I want to thank Minister Michael Creed for his decision this evening which was based on the overwhelmingly positive input from the industry in the west and north west. I have worked with the local industry on this issue over the past six months and I want to thank all those who had an input into this decision tonight.”
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