The Minister for Agriculture and Marine Charlie McConalogue has told the Dáil that he is considering initiating a review of the national mackerel quota, which was described by Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns as a "very blatant unfair policy" to inshore fishers.
The Cork South West TD said that while inshore fishers make up "the majority of the sector", and practice "the most sustainable type of fishing", they only receive 2% of the quota and, as a direct consequence, had to stop catching mackerel by June of last year.
She said that she had repeatedly asked the minister to review the quota system but he had refused and, now, it was "very clear" that "last year's situation will be repeated."
Small family fishers, with vessels under 15-metres, are "just getting by" while 98% of the quota is taken-up by a "small few" with "much larger boats."
Speaking in reply, Minister McConalogue said any decision to change the national mackerel quota would "require a very significant and comprehensive public consultation process".
He said mackerel was the fish species most impacted by Brexit, with Ireland losing 25% of its stock between now and 2026.
However, he pointed out that inshore fishers get 400 tonnes per year, which was important given "a few years ago" the sector "didn't get any".
When pressed on a review by Ms Cairns, the minister said he is considering it.
"But there's been no decision made in relation to it and, as I said, it's not straightforward as fishers themselves are not agreed on it," he said.
