Marine Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher Pleased With Council Outcome

Minister Gallagher said, I feel we have succeeded in achieving a fairly good overall package of fishing possibilities for Irish fishermen.  That is not to say that the situation is ideal across all stocks.  I know that the reductions in some species, especially mackerel, are going to have a negative impact for some fishermen in the short-term.

However, the Minister pointed out that increased quotas in other species has ensured that the overall volume of fish quota, both for whitefish and for pelagic species, is virtually the same as for 2004.  In aggregate, the total volume of whitefish is 33,271 tonnes and for pelagic fishermen the total is 197,373 tonnes.

Whitefish
Minister Gallagher said, My overall focus in these negotiations was to secure a deal that gave Irish fishermen the best possible range of fishing opportunities for 2005 taking account of the socio economic needs of the industry and the necessity to maintain a sustainable approach.  The deal secured is good for Irish whitefish fishermen all around the coastline where there are sizeable increases in the main whitefish earners such as haddock, hake, monkfish and Dublin Bay prawns.

The Minister added, The increase in Celtic Sea cod is particularly welcome and I acknowledge the active role played by the Irish fishing industry in securing it.  Since last Decembers Fisheries Council the industry has been working closely with the UK and French industries in devising a recovery plan for the Celtic Sea cod stock.  The plan involves the closure of three particular areas in the Celtic Sea for the first three months of 2005, when cod stocks spawn.

Minister Gallagher said, I think it is quite clear that the future sustainability of the industry will involve some pain before gain.  We have to accept that area closures and catch limitations are necessary in order to safeguard the future of certain stocks.  This type of action allied to the industry led initiatives such as that in the Celtic Sea prove that there is a willingness among fishermen to protect their own livelihoods.

Pelagic Species
The Minister conceded that the 27% reduction in the mackerel quota for 2005, which had been agreed between the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands before the Council, is a blow to the industry in the short term.  However he pointed out that the impact would be softened somewhat by significant gains elsewhere - including a reversal of the Commissions proposed 20% cut in the horse mackerel quota, and also a reversal in the proposed 15% cut in the Celtic Sea herring quota.

Minister Gallagher, In addition to the improved horse mackerel and Celtic Sea herring quotas, the securing of a record blue whiting quota of over 75,000 tonnes will create new catching and processing opportunities for the pelagic industry which is largely based in Donegal.  One of my key aims during 2005 will be to examine ways of increasing the value of the blue whiting fishery.

Deepwater Species
The Council also agreed a range of new conservation measures to protect vulnerable deep-water species.  The measures involve catch and fishing effort reductions combined with the creation of special protection areas for the particularly vulnerable orange roughy species.  The new protection areas, located to the north and west of Ireland, are also designed to safeguard sensitive coral habitats and seamounts.

Minister Gallagher paid tribute to his team of officials involved in the Council discussions saying their hard work ensured that Ireland got the best deal possible from the negotiations.

Table of Quotas

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