Reporting from Maritime Ireland
The seriousness of the situation facing the fishing industry appears to be unrecognised and unappreciated by the Government, politicians or the national media, the latter of which is dominated in its output by Dublin-based editorial rooms.
The entire seafood industry, from catching to processing and marketing is facing serious problems in the coming year. This has been identified by the united opinion of industry organisations and even by some Government agencies. The Chief Executive of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Caroline Bocquel, has told the Marine Times newspaper the seafood sector is facing ongoing challenges “that are making it difficult to operate a business and make a decent livelihood.”
So why is there no national recognition that an entire industry, an important, vital food provider, is in a most serious situation.
It is qui te extraordinary that there has not been Government acknowledgement of the problems for the industry and, associated with that, the coastal communities, not even a formal mention in the Dáil or any debate in the Oireachtas?
None of the Budgetary speeches, from Government or Opposition, mentioned the fishing and seafood sector. There was concern expressed for agriculture, for family farms and community, but the coastal communities and the effects on them of a declining fishing industry was ignored.The Budget did not contain any major new supports to help the fishing industry.
Politicians should recognise the problems. Fishing is a food provider. That message needs to be understood. The failure of MEPs to get an Irish member appointed onto the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee is a bad example of lack of commitment to and understanding of the fishing industry and its essential role in the economic life of the coastal communities.
