Clonakilty hosts European talks on future management of mackerel stock
The European Commission, the Swedish Presidency of the European Council and a range of interested member states including Denmark, Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Poland, Germany and Ireland will take part in the talks.
A delegation of 12 from Norway and the Faroe Islands will also attend the gathering, which will continue at the Clonakilty offices of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food until Friday.
The aim is to agree the total allowable catch (TAC) of mackerel for 2010. The allowable catch for this year was over 600,000 tonnes.
Fisheries Minister Tony Killeen said he was pleased the offices of his department are hosting these negotiations, which are being held in Ireland for the first time.
The meeting is also expected to agree access and other arrangements.
“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 €60m,” he said.
“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.” added Mr Killeen, who hoped for success at the negotiations “so that we can be assured of good management and a sustainable fishery for 2010”.
