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Minister Coveney Welcomes Positive Outcome at International Fisheries Negotaiations in Clonakilty

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, T.D., has today welcomed the International Fisheries Agreement signed between the EU and Norway.

The Minister said “the fact that this agreement was concluded in Clonakilty today is very positive for our fishermen targeting these stocks for their businesses in these important fisheries which allows fishermen and fish factories to plan properly in 2015. It is also pleasing that Ireland was able to play a major part as host of these very important negotiations for the EU as a whole”.

The negotiations, which began last Monday, were hosted by Ireland on behalf of the European Union at the National Seafood Centre in Clonakilty, Co. Cork and involved delegates from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal.

The negotiations agreed are as follows:

  • The total allowable catch (TAC) for important stocks that are managed by both EU and Norway.
  • The sharing of these stocks between EU and Norway.
  • The transfer of quotas between EU and Norway as part of a balanced deal in the interests of EU and Norwegian fishermen.

The negotiations covered many stocks in both the North Sea, the western waters around Ireland and Scotland and stocks in Norwegian waters.

Minister Coveney also said “I am very pleased that my officials were able to secure a 12% increase in Ireland’s share of the important Haddock fishery off Donegal.  I also  welcome the fact that, subject to confirmation at the Coastal States meeting in London on the 15th of December, we managed to find agreement on an increase in the Blue Whiting Total Allowable Catch for 2015.  This fishery is important for our fishermen that target Blue Whiting and for our fish factories that process Irish, Norwegian and Scottish catches of this species for human consumption exports.”

The Minister added that “as part of the Blue Whiting package, Ireland was able to reduce the percentage of Blue Whiting TAC, which is transferred by the EU to Norway as part of the overall deal, which will increase the amount of Blue Whiting available to our fishermen.”

ENDS

Source: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/pressreleases/2014/december/title,79211,en.html

Published: 5th December 2014