Fishermen gather up nets in protest over licences

MORE THAN 40 fishermen from the south-east gathered up their nets yesterday in protest at the impounding of a vessel in Waterford over the past week as well as over the current licensing and quota system.

The fishermen gathered on Waterford’s north quay just before lunchtime yesterday where the Sea Queen was detained by the fisheries board for illegal fishing. The owner says he has been waiting five months for a licence from the Department of the Marine.

Paul Bennett from Dunmore East bought the €500,000 boat five months ago. He borrowed from the bank to pay for it. But it still hasn’t been licensed and has been tied up ever since. Mr Bennett and his crew members are in financial difficulty as the row continues.

The South and Eastern Fishermen’s Organisation is due to meet Department of the Marine officials today in an effort to resolve the dispute. The fishermen say that not enough licences are being issued to vessels with the correct capacity and they want a legislative change in order to make a living.

Spokesman Michael Walsh said it was very unfair to have the vessel impounded.

“The whole issue came to light recently when it emerged that Ireland had exceeded its European level of tonnage.

“We feel that these boats are not to blame and we are demanding that issue be resolved immediately. Just recently we’ve also had restrictions on hake, cod and other white species coming in from the first of January next year. We want fishing entitlements protected,” he said.

Capacity in the Irish fleet is over its EU reference levels but Mr Walsh said fishermen had not been told how this has happened as they had all been operating within the requirements set out by the department.

Brian McGuinness, a fishermen from Dunmore East, said farmers were not told what type of farming they could engage in and the same rules should apply to those involved in the fishing industry.

“We shouldn’t be ring-fenced into being told what type of fish we can haul.”