Smith to raise fish fuel cost at EU

THE impact of soaring fuel costs on Ireland’s fishing industry is to be vigorously pursued by the Government at EU level.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith gave the pledge after the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) called for a credible and early response from the Government.

Protesters claimed in Dublin last week that the industry was facing “wipe-out” as a 40% hike in fuel costs coinciding with a 25% decrease in catch prices is making running trawlers unviable.

Mr Smith said he and Minister of State Tony Killeen had a detailed and constructive meeting with the FIF. He said Mr Killeen has sought an early meeting with European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg, and the issue will be discussed at the next Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels.

Mr Smith said the substantial increase in fuel costs is a particular challenge for all sectors of the economy and a serious difficulty for fishermen.

“We will be pursuing vigorously at European level the issues that have been raised with us.

“We are very conscious of the particular challenges and difficulties that the fisheries sector face at this particular time,” he said.

Mr Borg has meanwhile renewed his call for the restructuring of the European fisheries sector before it is too late.

“The difficulties faced by the EU fisheries sector have their roots in a structural mismatch between the size of the fleet and the sustainable level of fishing possibilities,” he said.

Mr Borg said these problems have been compounded by the increase of fuel prices. Marine fuel prices have increased by about 240% in most of Europe since 2004.

Mr Borg said he remains convinced that there is a future for European fisheries, but only if member states, the sector and the Commission work together to create a smaller and more fuel-efficient fleet that is better matched to fishing possibilities.