Menu
20/12/2012
Deal Reached Following Difficult Negotiations Of Fishing Quotas
Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today welcomed the deal reached early this morning after two days and an overnight session of difficult and complex negotiations.
Minister Coveney said: "I am pleased that we have secured a good deal for Irish fishermen at the EU Fisheries Council that will support our fishing industry over the coming year and which is sustainable in terms of the fish stocks on which we are dependant."
During the negotiations 6,400 tonnes of whitefish quotas were secured over those proposed in the Commission proposal. At the end of the negotiations which set fish quotas for 2013, Minister Coveney was satisfied to have secured some 36,538 tonnes of whitefish and 180,000 of pelagic (mackerel, herring etc) quotas. The direct value of the total package for the Irish fishing fleet will be €213 million for 2013. The value to the overall Irish economy will be significantly higher when the added value in onshore processing is included.
The quotas finally agreed by Council were very significantly increased from those originally proposed by the European Commission for the 2013 fishing year. Minister Coveney outlined the challenge facing him at this Council.
He continued: "Despite the difficult initial starting position, where I was facing large cuts in over 30 stocks of interest to Ireland, the result achieved is a good deal for the Irish fishing industry. We have secured increases from last year for key stocks including increased prawn quota in all areas totalling 8,733 tonnes and an increased whiting quota in the Celtic Sea amounting to 6,812 tonnes. The package of quotas secured today will support the economies of those coastal communities which are dependent on the resulting employment created both at sea and in onshore related industries."
Minister Coveney was speaking after two days of intensive negotiations, which concluded at 7am this morning. The Minister described the Council as "very challenging" and said that "My primary aim from the outset was to achieve an outcome that protected the overall interests of the Irish fishing industry while respecting the most up-to-date scientific advice for key stocks of critical importance to our fleets. I believe that I have achieved that aim".
(CD)
Minister Coveney said: "I am pleased that we have secured a good deal for Irish fishermen at the EU Fisheries Council that will support our fishing industry over the coming year and which is sustainable in terms of the fish stocks on which we are dependant."
During the negotiations 6,400 tonnes of whitefish quotas were secured over those proposed in the Commission proposal. At the end of the negotiations which set fish quotas for 2013, Minister Coveney was satisfied to have secured some 36,538 tonnes of whitefish and 180,000 of pelagic (mackerel, herring etc) quotas. The direct value of the total package for the Irish fishing fleet will be €213 million for 2013. The value to the overall Irish economy will be significantly higher when the added value in onshore processing is included.
The quotas finally agreed by Council were very significantly increased from those originally proposed by the European Commission for the 2013 fishing year. Minister Coveney outlined the challenge facing him at this Council.
He continued: "Despite the difficult initial starting position, where I was facing large cuts in over 30 stocks of interest to Ireland, the result achieved is a good deal for the Irish fishing industry. We have secured increases from last year for key stocks including increased prawn quota in all areas totalling 8,733 tonnes and an increased whiting quota in the Celtic Sea amounting to 6,812 tonnes. The package of quotas secured today will support the economies of those coastal communities which are dependent on the resulting employment created both at sea and in onshore related industries."
Minister Coveney was speaking after two days of intensive negotiations, which concluded at 7am this morning. The Minister described the Council as "very challenging" and said that "My primary aim from the outset was to achieve an outcome that protected the overall interests of the Irish fishing industry while respecting the most up-to-date scientific advice for key stocks of critical importance to our fleets. I believe that I have achieved that aim".
(CD)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 May 2008
Fishermen Stage Fuels Protests In Dublin
Fishermen in County Wexford are due to stage a protest today against rising diesel costs in Dublin. The demonstrators, from Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, say they are now spending 80% of their earnings on fuel compared with just 15% a number of years ago. Their livelihoods are described as being under threat as a result.
Fishermen Stage Fuels Protests In Dublin
Fishermen in County Wexford are due to stage a protest today against rising diesel costs in Dublin. The demonstrators, from Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, say they are now spending 80% of their earnings on fuel compared with just 15% a number of years ago. Their livelihoods are described as being under threat as a result.
25 November 2011
FF Calls For Opposition To Fishing Quotas
Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Marine and Fisheries has called on the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to take a very strong stance against the proposed cuts in fishing quotas for 2012. John Browne TD said the quotas threatened up to 700 full and part-time jobs and Mr Coveney to "strenuously resist" the proposals in their current form.
FF Calls For Opposition To Fishing Quotas
Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Marine and Fisheries has called on the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to take a very strong stance against the proposed cuts in fishing quotas for 2012. John Browne TD said the quotas threatened up to 700 full and part-time jobs and Mr Coveney to "strenuously resist" the proposals in their current form.
16 December 2009
EU Reaches Deal On Fishing Quotas
European Union ministers have reached a deal to reduce many of next year's fish quotas for overexploited species, while cautiously increasing others to ensure the livelihood of fishermen.
EU Reaches Deal On Fishing Quotas
European Union ministers have reached a deal to reduce many of next year's fish quotas for overexploited species, while cautiously increasing others to ensure the livelihood of fishermen.
13 November 2008
Fishermen Tackle Catch Reduction
Fishermen have reacted angrily following a European Commission announcement to severely restrict fishing off the Irish northwest coast. Irish fishermen have been stunned by the commission's proposals to impose a ban on all whitefish fisheries off the coast and a reduction on catches of the major species taken by the Irish fleet by up to 25%.
Fishermen Tackle Catch Reduction
Fishermen have reacted angrily following a European Commission announcement to severely restrict fishing off the Irish northwest coast. Irish fishermen have been stunned by the commission's proposals to impose a ban on all whitefish fisheries off the coast and a reduction on catches of the major species taken by the Irish fleet by up to 25%.
29 November 2012
Coveney Moves To Protect Irish Mackerel Industry
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine has warned the Council of Fisheries Ministers in Brussels today, that the over reliance on pelagic stocks for the annual exchange in fishing opportunities with Norway is having a detrimental effect on our own Pelagic fleet with knock on consequences for our processors.
Coveney Moves To Protect Irish Mackerel Industry
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine has warned the Council of Fisheries Ministers in Brussels today, that the over reliance on pelagic stocks for the annual exchange in fishing opportunities with Norway is having a detrimental effect on our own Pelagic fleet with knock on consequences for our processors.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with scattered showers, some of these could be heavy in the afternoon. Becoming mostly dry by evening with increasing amounts of sunshine. Feeling rather warm. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A bright end to the day with any showers quickly dying out. Dry overnight with long clear spells and light winds. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
