The final decision for historical precedents on mackerel quota distribution to remain in place has been widely welcomed.
The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has welcomed the final decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, following the conclusion of a review into mackerel quota sharing arrangements.
The Minister has decided to reject the formal request by the Irish South and West Fish Producer’s Organisation to have 100% of the additional 2017 mackerel quota allocated to it. This means that the 10,589 additional tonnes will now be allocated in accordance with existing sharing arrangements of 87% to the RSW fleet and 13% to the polyvalent segment.
KFO Chief Executive, Seán O’Donoghue said, “I am pleased that the Minister made his decision solely on the facts, stakeholders’ submissions and analysis. He was not swayed by unfounded and distorted facts.
“All we had sought was that the existing percentage sharing arrangements be maintained which have shown to properly deal with year on year fluctuations in the national mackerel quota in a fair, transparent and balanced way. We have not gained additional fish, we have retained the existing percentage sharing arrangement which was in place due to the work we have put into building a pelagic industry in the North West.
“It is the correct decision and we welcome it even if has taken far longer than we anticipated. We had always maintained that this review was unnecessary.”
“I would like to acknowledge the role played and efforts made by our members during the public consultation process in putting forward well founded submissions,” concluded Mr O’Donoghue.
Mr O’Donoghue also thanked four Donegal TDs for their full support and representations, namely Government Chief Whip, Joe McHugh, Pat the Cope Gallagher, Charlie McConalogue and Thomas Pringle.
Mr O’Donoghue also welcomed the announcement to discontinue the RSW effort regime.
Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher Leas Cheann Comhairle last night welcomed Minister Creed’s decision to back down from his attempts to redistribute the mackerel wuota from RSW vessels owners to the Polyvalent sector.
The Donegal Deputy said the consultation process launched by Minister Creed’s own initiative was nothing more than “an attempt to smash and grab without any factual basis whatsoever from predominantly the fishermen of the northwest area to directly benefit the southern based fishermen, without giving any due consideration the historical precedents regarding catches or investments into the sector over the preceding years by the relevant boat owners.”
Pat the Cope said he made a detailed submission to the Minister on the consultation process, stating “that this was unnecessary as we are interfering and tampering with a process which is long established and is based on precedent, based on the level of investment over time and on natural expectation on the part of the boat owners due to previous allocations over extended years.”
Pat the Cope challenged the Department of the Marine and the Minister to concentrate fully on the consequences of Brexit. He asked for the assurance that the fisheries negotiations are fully linked to the overall trade talks so that fisheries is part of the overall agreement as opposed to be a single side lateral agreement.
“Fishing has to be front and central in the forthcoming negotiations between the UK and the EU – and it is essential that Ireland insist that fisheries are a key negotiating pillar in order that Irish fishing interests are fully protected.
“This mackerel quota consultation process was a distraction to the big picture of the consequences of Brexit, in the 18 months ahead every effort and minute must be spent by our Department officials and the Marine Minister in securing a favourable deal, protecting Irish fishing interests and securing fishing rights for Irish boats in UK territorial waters and insuring Irish boats get their fair share of quota rights.
“Brexit will pose threats to the sector but if properly managed by the Government it can pose opportunities for our fishing sector moving forward,” concluded Pat the Cope.
