Ban on fish discards is a big step in the right direction – McHugh

Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East, Joe McHugh, has today (Wednesday) described this morning’s comprehensive European ban on fish discards as an important step forward for the fishing industry.

“I am very pleased with this morning’s announcement that the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney TD, has brokered a European agreement for a phased introduction of a ban on fish discards. This will result in the phasing out of the practice of discarding approximately 1.3 million tonnes of fish each year in the North East Atlantic, starting from January 2014.

“Significantly, this deal includes agreement that the EU fisheries fund will be available to support fishermen in a move towards using smarter and more selective fishing gear to prevent unwanted catches, particularly of juvenile fish.

“The debate around discards is in itself an acknowledgement of the complexities of the mixed fishery of the northwest coast. This very welcome progress on discards should be accompanied by progress on addressing quota regime difficulties that affect the white fish sector.

“This decision will also allow the Irish Presidency, on behalf of the European Council, to engage directly with the European Parliament and Commission with a view to reaching political agreement on the reformed Common Fisheries Policy during the Irish Presidency. I would like to commend Minister Coveney for his hard work in bringing this deal to fruition.”

ENDS