233,500 tonnes of fish quotas secured, worth €280m for Irish fishermen for 2017

20% increase in monkfish quota; a 9% increase for the megrim quota in North-West   

Fine Gael Minister of State Joe McHugh TD, “I welcome confirmation this morning from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., that 233,500 tonnes of quotas was been secured, worth €280 million for Irish fishermen for 2017, which will undoubtedly help the fishing sector significantly here in Donegal.”

This represents an increase of 17,390 tonnes over 2016. The Minister secured the deal in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday,  following two days of intensive negotiations at the annual Fisheries Council in Brussels.

“The total €280m value of quotas, which represents a 6% increase on 2016, is a good result overall. In the North West, a 20% increase in monkfish quota; a 9% increase for the megrim quota, a near doubling of the Rockall haddock quota and no change in whiting benefiting the ports of Greencastle and Killybegs.

“The total €280 million value of quotas, which represents a 6% increase on 2016, is a good result overall and is a long way from the original Commission proposals which would have resulted in very significant losses to our fleet. The original proposal included a 19% reduction in whitefish quotas.

“It is particularly pleasing that the Commission has been persuaded to reverse the proposed 9% cut in the prawn quota, the most important fishery for the whitefish fleet.  Ireland has succeeded in getting the Commission to apply the appropriate scientific advice for prawns resulting in a 9% increase.

“Fine Gael will continue to protect fish stocks while negotiating hard to provide for continued growth in the Donegal fishing industry. We have committed €40m from the Seafood Development Programme to the collection of scientific data to achieve this objective. Healthy stocks will mean a growing fishing industry here in Donegal, this is of benefit to everyone.”

ENDS