Minister to retain existing sharing arrangements
The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has tonight welcomed the final decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, following the conclusion of a review into mackerel quota sharing arrangements. 
The Minister has decided to reject the formal request by the Irish South and West Fish Producer’s Organisation to have 100% of the additional 2017 mackerel quota allocated to it. This means that the 10,589 additional tonnes will now be allocated in accordance with existing sharing arrangements of 87% to the RSW fleet and 13% to the polyvalent segment.
KFO Chief Executive, Seán O’Donoghue said, “I am pleased that the Minister made his decision solely on the facts, stakeholders’ submissions and analysis. He was not swayed by unfounded and distorted facts. All we had sought was that the existing percentage sharing arrangements be maintained which have shown to properly deal with year on year fluctuations in the national mackerel quota in a fair, transparent and balanced way. We have not gained additional fish, we have retained the existing percentage sharing arrangement which was in place due to the work we have put into building a pelagic industry in the North West. It is the correct decision and we welcome it even if has taken far longer than we anticipated. We had always maintained that this review was unnecessary.”
 “I would like to acknowledge the role played and efforts made by our members during the public consultation process in putting forward well founded submissions,” concluded Mr O’Donoghue.
Mr O’Donoghue also thanked four Donegal TDs for their full support and representations, namely Government Chief Whip, Joe McHugh, Pat the Cope Gallagher, Charlie McConalogue and Thomas Pringle.
 
Mr O’Donoghue also welcomed the announcement to discontinue the RSW effort regime.
 
ENDS
Further information:
Sean O’Donoghue
087 4196535