Ageing fishing vessels decommissioned under €45m scheme

MARINE Minister John Browne yesterday unveiled a fresh round of decommissioning of ageing fishing vessels, in a €45 million scheme designed to safeguard the future of the seafood industry.

The scheme is aimed at bringing about a viable future for the seafood industry by reducing the size of whitefish vessels, to ensure a better balance with the fish stocks available to the fleet.

“The scheme represents a substantial Government investment to support the sustainable development of the economies of those coastal communities dependent on fishing,” said the minister.

It is designed to remove 25% of the older, more active vessels in the whitefish sector and to remove excess capacity in the scallop fleet.

“One of my key goals in the department is to ensure that the Irish seafood industry remains a viable industry and a creator of much-needed jobs for our coastal communities,” Mr Browne said.

So far, 33 fishing vessels have been decommissioned and approximately €29m in grant aid remains available.

The scheme provides for the maximum payments allowed by EU regulations.

Under the scheme, eligible vessels will be approved for grants next month. These will be paid in two instalments — 50% once the licence has been surrendered and the remainder when the vessel has been broken up.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which administers the scheme, said that of the 47 boats approved so far, BIM provided 33 owners with full or part payment.

Meanwhile the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WFPO) said that the future of salmon fishing was threatened due to negative advice from the Marine Institute.

Mike Fitzpatrick, of the IS&WFPO said: “By the scientists’ own admission, the basis for the advice is flawed due to inadequate resources.”