BIM welcome 5% increase secured in overall fish stock quotas – Fishupdate.com
BIM welcome 5% increase secured in overall fish stock quotas Published: 03 January, 2007
Marine Minister John Browne T.D.
BORD Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board has welcomed the increase in 2007 Irish fish quotas secured by Marine Minister John Browne at the EU Fisheries Council.
Commenting on the quotas negotiated, Pat Keogh, CEO BIM said: The overall increase in quotas for shellfish, whitefish and pelagic stocks for 2007 compared with 2006 is 5%. This is a good outcome for the Irish fishing industry, and coastal communities, coming on the back of a challenging period.
Of particular note is the increase in quotas for the highly valuable pelagic and whitefish stocks of monkfish, hake, prawns and mackerel. These increases will result in greater returns for quality, high-value Irish seafood and guarantee an additional 20 million for the industry at the fist-point-of sale.
While a reduction in the quota for cod was anticipated and appropriate, the effects of this have been offset by a significant increase in haddock of 14%, representing more than 2.5 times more than the decrease in quotas for cod stocks.
Noting the increase of 20% in Hake quotas, Mr Keogh said: Much work has been undertaken by the fishermen, scientists and the EU Commission to address conservation concerns and it is pleasing to see the hake quota increasing on foot of the achievements made over the last number of years.
The increased quotas will see Irish fish landings deliver 250 million directly to fishermen in coastal communities in 2007.
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