Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food welcomed the commencement of major international coastal states fisheries talks at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food offices in Clonakilty today. Discussions, which will continue until Friday, will aim to agree the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of mackerel for 2010. The TAC for 2009 amounted to over 600,000 tonnes. The meeting involves the European Commission, Swedish Presidency of the European Council, a delegation of 12 from Norway and the Faroe Islands, and a range of interested EU Member States including Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Poland, Germany and Ireland. The meeting will determine arrangements between the European Union, Norway and the Faroe Islands for the management of the almost three million tonne mackerel stock in the North East Atlantic.
Minister of State Killeen said he was pleased that the Clonakilty offices of the Department were hosting the negotiations, which is the first time such important international fisheries negotiations have been hosted in Ireland.
“This meeting will set not just the international TAC for 2010 but will critically also agree the access and other arrangements for the fishery. Mackerel is very important for the Irish fishing sector and this year the value of the catch for Irish fishermen is expected to be over EUR60 million”, stated Minister of State Killeen. He added: “The fishery is in addition worth a similar amount to our seafood processing industry in Donegal and along the western seaboard and provides significant seasonal employment in Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Cork. I wish all concerned best wishes for success at these negotiations so that we can be assured of good management and a sustainable fishery for 2010.”
