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KFO says overall outcome of the Fisheries Council was positive

12/14/2016

 
KFO said the overall outcome of the Fisheries Council that finished at 2am this morning was positive with significant increases in three pelagic stocks mackerel +14%, blue whiting +85% and Atlanto Scandia herring +104%.  There were also very welcome increases in nephrops and in a number of important whitefish species but the reductions in haddock in the North West and megrim in Celtic Sea are disappointing. The expected 50% increase in the percentage share of blue whiting was also endorsed by Council. KFO is satisfied that Minister Creed has for the most part delivered on our call prior to the Council to ensure that the Commission’s proposed cuts for key Irish stocks are reversed at the Fisheries Council.
Sean O Donoghue CEO said after the Council finished in Brussels;
“The outcome for the pelagic sector was mostly positive.  Our quotas for certain pelagic stocks were know in advance of the Council and the increases in quotas for mackerel our most important economic fishery, blue whiting and Atlanto Scandia herring for next year are welcomed. The proposed 17% cut in our monitoring herring quota in the North West has been eliminated. We did expect that there would be cuts in our horse mackerel and boarfish quotas given the very large uncertainties in the scientific assessments for both of these stocks which we will be actively addressing during next year. We also welcome the increases in whitefish quotas in the North West, monkfish + 20%, megrim + 9%, Rockall haddock +16% and saithe +13 % and much needed 9 % scientifically justified increase in nephrops. However the 20% reduction in haddock in the North West is not warranted as the reduction is due to scientific error and changing the fishing mortality rate. It is likely that this reduction will cause problems with possible early closures of fisheries during next year in the North West as haddock is under the landing obligation. There were significant increases in Celtic Sea namely haddock +7%, whiting +21%, and a rollover of the monkfish. The major proposed reduction of 68% in cod was significantly reduced to 15% and the hake quota in both areas was increased by 9%.”
He added; “The Hague Preferences which sees Ireland and the UK getting elevated quotas for a number of key species when reductions are proposed, were delivered but only after a major battle and I must recognise the trojan work done by Minister Creed to resist the attempts by a number of Member States to try to get them removed. Without the Hague Preference for example we would have taken a cut of 38% in the Celtic Sea cod instead of the 15% the cut”
Mr. O Donoghue concluded by saying: “ I wish to recognise that Minister Creed and his officials worked very closely with the industry both before and during the Council and took on board our well founded concerns and advice and delivered  a sustainable and economically viable fishing opportunities package for 2017”
 
ENDS
14th December 2016
Contact Details:-
Sean O’Donoghue, CEO Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation       Mob: 087 4196535

8th December  PRESS RELEASE

12/8/2016

 

KFO calls on Minister Creed to ensure that the Commission’s proposed cuts for key Irish stocks are reversed at the Fisheries Council next week
Up to 400 Jobs could be lost if Commission’s proposals are agreed 
​

Next Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th of December the Council of Fisheries Ministers meets in Brussels to decide on the TACs and Quotas for 2017.   The KFO is calling on Minister Creed to ensure that  the Commission’s proposed cuts for certain key stocks are reversed or phased in over a period time up to 2020 as provided for in the new Common Fisheries Policy.   These cuts if adopted next week by the Council of Fisheries Ministers could result in up to 400 fulltime and part-time jobs losses in the fisheries sector and ancillaries services, resulting direct and indirect financial losses of approximately €23 million.
Sean O Donoghue CEO said:
“I am very concerned about the outcome of this year’s Fisheries Council particularly for certain demersal species (nephrops, haddock, monkfish, megrim and cod with cuts ranging from 9% for nephrops to 76% for cod) and pelagic species (horse mackerel 45% cut  and herring 17% cut) stocks of interest to Ireland.”   He added: “I recognise that when the state of the stock requires it there must be reductions in the fishing opportunities for particular stocks.   However it is my contention in relation to a number of the reductions proposed on our key stocks are both unjustifiable and unacceptable. For example the 9% cut in the nephrops quota our second most important economic stock after mackerel is at odds with the scientific advice which is recommending a 9% increase.  Furthermore the Commission’s proposals take no account of the socio-economic obligations enshrined in the CFP. The proposals only take account of the sustainability principles. If this had been done the proposed cuts in some of our key stocks would almost be eliminated or significantly reduced and I expect Minister Creed to take account of these missing factors from the Commission’s proposals during the Council next week. ”

The KFO expects as in previous years after the usual battles with other Member States that the Hague Preferences which sees Ireland and the UK getting elevated quotas for a number of key species when reductions are proposed, will be delivered.
The KFO with other Producer Organisations will be meeting Minister Creed and his advisers in Brussels on Sunday night next and on a regular basis during the Fisheries Council next week to support his endeavours to deliver for Ireland the best deal possible in terms of sustainable and economical viable fishing opportunities for 2017.
ENDS
 
 
Contact Details:-
Sean O’Donoghue, CEO Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation    087 – 4196535 or  074 97 31089

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