Increased mackerel quota worth €4.5 million to Donegal

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, says the increased mackerel quota secured for Ireland at the EU Fisheries Council will be worth an estimated €4.5 million to the local economy.

“Mackerel is a massively important species for the local fishing industry, and for employment in Donegal as 98 per cent of the catch lands in Killybegs,” Minister McConalogue commented.

"For every €1 of value added by mackerel, the economy benefits an additional €0.59 in the supply chain and consumer sectors.

“Fish processing is big in Donegal as are the support industries. I fought extremely hard to make sure we got an increase in our fish quota. 

“The big gain from the EU Fisheries Council this week was mackerel, which is going to have a significantly positive impact on the Donegal economy. 

“Killybegs is the largest fishing port in the country, and this week’s development is a major boost to the town and the local fishing sector.”

Following on from the two-day negotiations at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels “I was delighted to have secured a positive outcome when we finished our talks on Tuesday morning. 

“The final outcomes represent a balanced result overall for the key fish quotas for Ireland. 

“We have increases for a number of our important commercial stocks, including Nephrops in the Porcupine Bank, Celtic Sea Monkfish, and Megrim and North-west Haddock and Whiting. 

“Restricted, by-catch-only TACs (Total Allowable Catches) have been set for vulnerable stocks to help them recover.”