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John Browne |
FOLLOWING two days of tough negotiations Irish Marine Minister John Browne emerged early this morning from the EU Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels after securing a number of key achievements for the Irish fishing industry in 2007.
The Minister negotiated a total package of almost 200,000 tonnes of fish for the Irish fishing industry in 2007. Within the package there were notable increases in quota secured for high value species such as Monkfish (+ 7%), Hake (+20%), Haddock (+23%) and Prawns (+17%).
Continuing scientific concerns about Cod stocks resulted in the general acceptance of a 14% fall in the quota for 2007.
A successful defence of the crucial Hague Preferences was also mounted, after they came under concerted pressure from several Member States.
Speaking shortly after the conclusion of the final marathon negotiating session Minister Browne said; "I am delighted with the result we obtained at this year's Fisheries Council. This was achieved this morning in the face of some of the most determined opposition we have experienced in recent years.
"Irish fish landings deliver €230 million directly to fishermen in our coastal communities each year. The increased quotas delivered at this Council will add €20 million to this figure, resulting in a total projected value of €¼ Billion in seafish being landed around the country in 2007," noted the Minister.
"We have also successfully delivered long term measures to control the use of deep water gillnets. These include a ban on their use in waters deeper than 600 metres, restrictions in their length and the amount of time they can be left in the water, in line with scientific recommendations. These nets are particularly harmful to species such as deep water sharks and monkfish and their un-restricted use flies in the face of the expert scientific advice.
In my opinion there is no justification for the un-restricted use of these nets, and I am relieved that the Commission has accepted Ireland's demands on this crucial issue. I believe that this will lead to improvements in the stock situation in Irish waters," co ntinued Minister Browne.
Following concerns expressed by Minister Browne about commercial fishing vessels of some member states attempting to carry out "experimental" fishing using small mesh nets in Irish waters, a new agreement was secured that ga ve coastal Member States, such as Ireland, greater control of scientific programmes involving experimental fishing in our waters. This agreement will allow Ireland to ensure that all experimental fishing proposed for our waters meet sound scientific criteria.
Each year a balance must be struck between the need to protect and preserve the fish stocks in our waters for future generations and the socio-economic need to support the 12,000 people in our vulnerable coastal communities, who are dependent on the seafood sector to provide them and their families with a livelihood. The Minister is actively working with Commissioner Borg and his team as well as the fishing industry to protect those stocks most seriously at risk, such as Cod.
"The Council has accepted my proposal to put in place a new industry led research programme for critical stocks in the Irish Sea. The programme will be carried out by Irish Sea fishermen, North and South, supported by Irish and UK scientists. Fishermen who participate in this programme, designed to provide robust data on all aspects of fishing activity in the Irish Sea, including detailed information on what fishing vessel catch and discard, will be rewarded by being allowed 12 additional days at sea fishing in the Irish Sea.
"It is my firm belief that the fishing industry understand the rationale for cuts, when these cuts are necessary to preserve juvenile stocks and the future of the species and are happy to co-ope rate with authorities," noted the Minister.
"It is no secret that the fishing industry has experienced some difficulties recently but I believe that the opportunity now exists for the industry to turn a corner in 2007. A new report, (under the chairmanship of Noel Cawley), commissioned on the development of the seafood industry has now been completed and I hope to bring it to Government shortly ahead of publication early in the New Year. The package agreed today, together with the development strategy being proposed by the Cawley report, will I am convinced, set the industry on a course for a sustainable and profitable future for the Irish seafood sector" concluded Minister Browne.
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