Our fishing industry will drown without fair quota

A billion euro was taken in fish from Irish waters last year, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with 88% of catches taken by foreign vessels. 

Yet many Irish fishing vessels are tied up, due to lack of quota. Meanwhile, French- and Spanish-registered vessels are landing away for transhipment of Irish fish to the Continent.

Last year, the Irish fishing industry made representation to Marine Minister Simon Coveney. He said he couldn’t do anything about it. The Commission didn’t want to discuss Ireland’s low share.

Yet, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (B.I.M.) has challenges: a need to expand the raw material supply base and its access to the fishing resource.

Ireland is not allowed to fish, so what is Mr. Coveney trying to sell to China from an empty basket?

Six hundred foreign whitefish vessels landed into Castletownbere in 2013, with no benefit to this country. What a difference a fair share of fish in Irish waters could make to Ireland’s economy.

Donal O’Driscoll

East End

Casltetownbere

Co Cork

Tom Hassett

Roseville

Strawberry Hill

Cork