Fishermen to address problems with visiting EU delegation
Castletownbere has suffered badly from the decline in fishing, brought about mainly by limited quotas and stiff competition from the fleets of other nations.
Six years ago, there were 65 vessels supplying the local fishermen’s co-op in the west Cork peninsula town.
That has dwindled to 35 boats, with an estimated loss of 150 jobs at sea, and dozens more shed onshore as a result.
Gerald O’Flynn, chief executive officer of the Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation, said he welcomed the opportunity to outline their problems to the visiting EU delegation.
He said the quota that Irish fishermen had in their own waters was miniscule compared with other nations.
“Under the Cawley report [on the industry] there is to be further decommissioning of the fleet. It is vital that when this happens, the quotas will not be cut any further. The boats remaining must be profitable. Historically, Ireland has had an unfair share of quotas,” said Mr O’Flynn. He said that while the industry had haemorrhaged jobs, it was also finding it difficult to attract younger people.
“The issue for us is that we have to get more profit out of it. We must get the maximum value for every fish landed,” the fishermen’s representative said.
He said fishermen also wanted to get a system in place where consumers required specific details about the catch.
“We want a traceability system introduced, which will help preserve Irish jobs. There is a huge volume of fish on the Irish market which hasn’t been caught in Ireland. Consumers should be encouraged only to eat fish that swim into our waters and not ones imported,” he added.
Rising fuel prices — which account for up to 50% of fishermen’s costs — also adds to the concerns of the fishing industry.
With a downturn in overall economic activity predicted, Mr O’Flynn said it was vital to preserve an indigenous industry, with its fishermen committed to protection of stocks.
Cllr Noel Harrington, from Castletownbere, said the fishing industry was responsible for 70% of the town’s economy.
The Fine Gael councillor, who helped to arrange the EU delegation’s visit on March 19 and 20, said he hoped its members would realise the many problems facing Ireland’s fishermen.
“It is an industry being hit hard by too much legislation and quota restrictions. Without a vibrant fishing industry the economy of the Beara Peninsula won’t be sustainable,” he said.
Attracting alternative industries to the region, especially in the manufacturing sector, has proved virtually impossible.
“We have tourism, but only for a few months of the year. Fishing is very important to west Cork and we must do everything we can to hold onto it,” said Mr Harrington.
