Review of CFP in context and priorities for Ireland

Presentation by Minister Simon Coveney

• Ireland’s EEZ contains some of the EU’s most productive fishing grounds.

• Fishing opportunities in Western waters (VI & VII) were estimated to be 1 million tonnes valued at €1.18 Billion in 2010.

• The Irish fleets share of this would amount to 18% in volume terms worth approx (€200m)

• The Irish EEZ is fished by vessels from Ireland, the UK, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the Faroe Islands and Norway.

Rich Fishing Grounds

Fishing activity in Irish Waters

Spain France

UK Ireland

• 2,100 Irish Fishing Vessels

• 200 Seafood Processing Companies

• 2,000 Aquaculture Sites

• 12,000 Employed

The Irish Seafood Industry

Irish Seafood Market 2010- c.€700M exports increasing – domestic demand

decreasing• 2010 Seafood Exports amounted to €379m (15%

increase on 2009) – early indicators - 10% increase in 2011 – figures to July

• Irish Salmon €67m (33% increase on 2009) -early indicators -17% decrease – soft international demand showing recent signs of improvement

• Shellfish €143m (25% increase on 2009) - early indicators - 17% increase in 2011

• Pelagic €112m (Mackerel, herring, horse Mackerel) - early indicators - 18% increase in 2011

• Irish Market – total sales €333m (down 11.6% on 2009) – early indicators show 2011 domestic sales down 7%

Example of dependence on Seafood Sector - per EU Commission survey - Killybegs (turnover by sector 2009) 82%

dependant – EU average 11%

Ireland’s CFP Priorities• Avoid mandatory transferability of quotas (TFC’s),

increased concentration and landing abroad• Control – level playing field• Gradual reduction leading to elimination of Discards• Retention of Relative Stability and Hague

Preferences• Rebuilding of stocks with a view to increased long

term sustainable fishing levels

Why is Ireland concerned about Transferrable Fishing Concessions (TFC’s) ? - Concentration and increased landings abroad - Examples

• Economic link of UK foreign owned fleet has been lost• The Anglo-Spanish fleet (fishing in our zone) land almost

half their catch outside the UK • The Anglo-Dutch fleet (fishing demersal stocks) land

almost their entire catch into Netherlands • Dutch Pelagic fleet buying up many Pelagic fleets in EU

– economic links to local areas greatly reduced • Danish pelagic fleet- new ITQ system since 2003 –

concentration of quotas – 8 vessels account for 25% of landings, holding combined quotas valued at €664m

Stated objective of Transferable Fishing Concessions TFC’s – reduction in overcapacity

• Irish Pelagic Fleet – 23 RSWs profitable • Further concentration of quotas undesirable• Irish > 18m whitefish fleet – have reduced

capacity by 25% since 2005/2006 under decommissioning schemes

• Whitefish Fleet landing 27% more per fishing day

• Wealth Distribution of economic benefit maintained across our rural Coastal Communities

Irish Challenges

• Protect fish resource in our waters by effective control and “level playing field” in application of CFP.

• Rebuild fish stocks – increased long term sustainable fishing levels

• Address the discards issue in a practical, effective and progressive manner.

• Avoid concentration of quotas and establishment of flag companies and increased landings abroad

• Increase employment and profitability in seafood sector and further develop of aquaculture industry

Thank You