Scallop fishing review agreed

A review of scallop fishing fleets was announced tonight in a bid to prevent further blockades of ports by protesting fishermen.

Marine Minister Pat The Cope Gallagher said former IDA chief Padraic White will report back to him before the end of the month.

Earlier this week, scallop fisherman caused massive disruption by blockading Rosslare and Waterford ports to passenger ferries and other vessels.

The South East Fishermen’s Association want a €4.8m aid package for their industry because they claim new fishing restrictions are causing job losses and extreme financial hardship.

Mr Gallagher acknowledged the “extreme urgency” of the situation and said better balance was needed between fleet size and available fishing quotas.

He said: “The purpose of the review is to examine and report on the urgency, scope and cost of the decommissioning requirements for the demersal and shellfish fleets including the situation in the scallop fleet and the problems of eligibility, in order to urgently establish a better balance between fleet size and available fishing entitlements.

“I fully accept the difficulty and hardship that is clearly being experienced in fishing communities around the coast because of declining fish stocks and the impact of conservation measures.”

Mr White’s report will be made available to the stakeholders and the general public when it is published.