Stark warnings about the future of Ireland’s fishing sector are going unheeded. Irish fishing interests have been repeatedly sidelined by the EU. The Irish industry is being dismantled while other European Member States fishing fleets thrive in Irish waters. “
The facts —————————————— By June, Irish fishermen were forced to stop targeted sole fishing in the Celtic Sea, because they were given less than 5% of the EU quota there. In contrast, Belgian vessels will continue to fish Celtic Sea sole, benefiting from a staggering 87% of the total EU quota.The imbalance continues in the Irish Sea, where Belgian fleets hold 59% of the EU quota — almost three times Ireland’s 20% share.
How can that be justified?
“Ultimately, the injustice done to Ireland can and must be addressed by a thorough review of the Common Fisheries Policy, an immediate and fair redistribution of quotas and sustained political will in Brussels. Our coastal and rural communities cannot afford another decade of neglect. We owe it to them to fight, with urgency and determination, for a fair deal and a viable future.,”says the Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation, Aodh O’Donnell, is the lead story which I have written in the July edition of the MARINE TIMES out this week.
His statement indicates the increased degree of frustration and anger now present in the Irish fishing industry at the continued discrimination it suffers because of the terms of the Common Fisheries, which other Member States have refused to alter, because they allow them big catches in Irish waters, compared to what the Irish fleet is permitted.
Ireland’s coastal share of fish is projected to shrink by approximately 15% over the next six years, far exceeding the average European reduction of less than 10%.
“This is not simply unfair “ says Mr.O’Donnell. “It is a clear indication of how Irish fishing interests have been repeatedly sidelined by the EU. We’re watching our industry being dismantled in slow motion, while others thrive in our rich waters.”
Fisheries expert commentator, Kevin Flannery in Dingle added another example: A ‘Record Amount’ of €159,500 was raised in the auction of the first barrel of new herring on a June Thursday afternoon in Holland, when the first barrel of “Hollandse Nieuwe Herring” was auctioned for 159,500 euros, said a spokesperson for the Dutch Fish Marketing Board. Such a high amount has never been achieved before. It was the third straight record-breaking year.
!I am sure this news will ‘delight!’“ the Irish pelagic fleet as they headed south to Biscay for the Tuna fisheries, because on the way South in June they passed the Dutch pelagic factory ships, Dirk Dirk and the WillimVan de Swan working away at the 50 and 10. I am sure they [those boats] will ‘delight’ in the full fat summer herring that make such a great price [for them] as they watch the Irish leave their own waters and leave the bonnie shoals of herrings to our European neighbours!”
- Read more in the July edition of the MARINE TIMES
