Increased fish quotas for two Donegal harbours

What a megrim fish looks like

DONEGAL Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed an increase in whitefish quotas for Irish fishermen.

The €123 million package will include a 14 per cent increase in Donegal haddock for the ports of Greencastle and Killybegs.

“For the north west region, this will mean a 20 per cent increase in monkfish quota; a minor increase for the megrim quota, a doubling of the Rockall haddock quota and a 14 per cent increase in Donegal haddock for the ports of Greencastle and Killybegs,” Minister McHugh said.

“This is a positive development and a good result overall for both fishermen and the relevant stakeholders, securing a continued future for the industry which will result in positive results for fleets. I would like to commend Minister Coveney on his hard work in securing this outcome, without which, the original Commission proposal would have included a 20 per cent reduction in whitefish quotas, involving a direct income reduction of €18 million for our fishermen.”

“There was also agreement from the Commission that they would reverse the proposed 14 per cent cut in the prawn quota, based on scientific advice, and that instead there will be a 3 per cent increase in our quota for this extremely important €60 million fishery.

“The Minister has also secured an 11 per cent increase in the hake fishery and maintained quotas for monkfish and megrim stocks. This involves a total landing value of €27 million to the whitefish fleet operating in the Celtic Sea.

“It is important to note that there will be an additional review in February 2015 of the total allowance for herring fishing and this will be something that I will be raising directly with the Minister,” Minister McHugh added.

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