Ireland’s farming and fishing minister, Charlie McConalogue, has welcomed EU agreement on fishing quotas for 2025.
EU fisheries ministers finally reached an agreement on the remaining stocks including around parts of Ireland’s coastline in the early hours of this morning. An agreement between the EU and UK on so-called shared stocks was reached on Monday.
“My objective for this [Fisheries] Council was to secure the application of the Hague Preference for Mackerel and Herring in addition to the traditional white fish stocks”, said Charlie McConalogue in a statement.
Hague Preference is a mechanism within the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy that adjusts quotas to account for fisheries-dependent areas in Ireland. When stocks fall below a certain level, the mechanism kicks in and gives Ireland a larger share.
“The reduction in the Total Allowable Catch of 22 percent for mackerel for 2025 coupled with the quota cuts under the TCA [Brexit deal with the UK] meant that Ireland’s quota for mackerel is at a point where the Hague preference is triggered for 2025”, Minister McConalogue explained.
“It will be of critical importance for the Irish fleet in 2025”, he added.
Given Ireland’s geography, many of our fish stocks are shared with the UK. Scientific data shows falling numbers of fish for some key species. That means Irish fishermen face quota cuts for next year.
“Some stocks, such as Pollack and some Celtic Sea Whitefish stocks, are still in a vulnerable state and reductions in quota are necessary”, said Charlie McConalogue.
There was better news for Monkfish caught in the West of Scotland with a quota increase granted. The Horse Mackerel fishery will also be reopened.
However, environmentalists have criticised the quota agreements.
“EU fisheries ministers have once again failed to end overfishing, disregarding both scientific advice and legal obligations in the face of escalating climate and biodiversity crises”, said NGO, Seas At Risk.
“Ministers exceeded the best available advice for several species, including for Pollack.”
They accuse ministers of a “blatantly disregard [of] the Common Fisheries Policy legal obligation to end overfishing by 2020.”