Background

The Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee (CSHMAC) is a Ministerially appointed Committee whose objective is to provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the management of the Celtic Sea Herring Fishery.

The Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee (CSHMAC) is a Ministerially appointed Committee whose objective is to provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the management of the Celtic Sea Herring Fishery.

1. 1. Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation – 2 members
   2. Irish Fish Producers Organisation – 2 members
   3. Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation – 2 members
   4. Killybegs Fishermens Organisation – 1 member
   5. IFPEA – 2 members
   6. IFFC – 1 member

In January 2016 the then Minister, Minister Simon Coveney, appointed additional two members to the Committee bringing the total number of members of the Committee to 12:

1. National Inshore Fisheries Forum – 2 members

The various organisations outlined above nominate their proposed representatives to the Minister for approval and if approved the individual becomes a member of the CSHMAC. For the past number of years, the Committee has been Chaired by a representative of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation but this position is decided on by the members of the CSHMAC.

1. Marine Institute to provide scientific advice.
2. SFPA to provide advice in relation to control and enforcement.
3. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group an environmental NGO.

Each year the Committee provides advice to the Minister in relation to the management arrangements for the stock. In developing this advice, the Committee elicits the views of the fishermen involved in the fishery through its members and also the Marine Institute in relation to potential impact on the stock and the SFPA in relation to any control and enforcement issues which may need to be included in the advice.

In addition, the Committee works closely with the Marine Institute in a programme of continuous improvement of the scientific advice for the stock. Examples of this work include the development and adoption of a long-term management plan for the stock which was adopted by the Pelagic Advisory Council.

During 2018 a new rebuilding plan is being developed and implemented by the CSHMAC in response to changes in the fishery.

Objective

Since its establishment the CSHMAC primary objective is to ensure the Celtic Sea Herring stock is exploited in a responsible and sustainable manner and this is the underlying basis of all work carried out by the Committee.

Rules of Procedure

Appointment of a Chair and Vice Chair

Chair

Members of the CSHMAC may nominate another member to be Chair of the CSHMAC provided the person nominated agrees to accept the nomination.
In the event that there are more than one nominations for the role of Chair a vote of all CSHMAC members present will take place and a two-third majority will be required.
The position of Chair is of a one-year duration but a Committee member may serve more than one Term as Chair subject to the voting procedure outlined above.

Vice Chair

The appointment of a Vice Chair will be dealt with using the same procedure outlined above for the appointment of the Chair.

Meetings

Quorum

The quorum for meetings will be five members. Only nominated representatives and proxies may attend meetings (subject to the observer policy set out below).

Members Attendance

If a nominated representative is unable to attend the meeting they should inform the Chair not later than 48 hours before the meeting and advise that their nominated proxy will be attending in their place.

If a member of the CSHMAC fails to attend three consecutive meetings, the Organisation they are representing will be asked to nominate an alternate member to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

VotingShould a decision come before the CSHMAC the Chair will endeavour to ensure the CSHMAC reaches a consensus.

In the event consensus cannot be reached a vote will be taken of CSHMAC members present.

As set out above the quorum for any such vote is five members.

Nominated proxies in attendance will have full voting rights.

A two thirds majority will be required for the decision to pass.

The Chairman will have the deciding vote however the onus remains on them to reach consensus.

Observer Policy

Persons attending CSHMAC meetings as Observers will play no direct part in any decisions at the meeting but may contribute their opinions if invited to do so by the Chair.

Invited Observers

Two specific invited observer positions for attendance at meetings will be made available for the following areas of interest:

1. Research/Science
2. Industry (Non-affiliated interests)

Individuals or organisations interested in attending meetings as invited observers should apply in writing to the Chair info@irishsouthandwest.ie

Those who attend meetings as invited observers will be required to respect the confidential nature of the CSHMAC meetings and any information or documentation provided to them by virtue of their status as “invited observers”. They will be provided with copies of meeting minutes and relevant information at the beginning of each meeting.

Invited observers will hold their position for no longer than 12 months.

Member Organisations

CSHMAC organisation members may nominate an additional observer to attend meetings for organisational transition purposes i.e. where a nominated representative is stepping down from their position on the Committee.

If an organisation wishes to avail of this facility they must inform the Chair in writing info@irishsouthandwest.ie no later than 48 hours before the meeting date.

Organisation observers will not have an entitlement to vote in any decisions taken at the meeting they are attending.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the CSHMAC is a Ministerially appointed Committee with its members appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will have observer status at all CSHMAC meetings.

Members of the Public

While members of the public cannot attend CSHMAC meetings if there are any issues that they wish to be discussed at meetings or if they require any information they should contact the Chair at info@irishsouthandwest.ie