Pilot quota balancing for whitefish stocks is delayed

A quota balancing scheme for Ireland's key whitefish stocks due to commence on January 1 has been delayed until June 1. The current economic impact has had a "significant impact" on the seafood sector and has been "particularly challenging"…

Emergency measures proposed for seafood sector

The EU Commission has proposed emergency measures for the seafood sector to help mitigate the adverse effects of "an industry placed in serious peril by the Covid-19 crisis". It is "now imperative" that additional financial supports are however…

Economic crisis ahead for inshore fishermen

An ‘unprecedented’ economic crisis is unfolding for Ireland’s inshore fishing sector which represents over 80% of the fishing fleet. The sector comprises boats measuring 12 metres and under that are predominantly active within six nautical…

Fishing organisations condemn port blockades

Port blockades in Dingle and Castletownbere that have prevented Spanish and French fishing trawlers from offloading their catch has been condemned by seven of Ireland's largest fishing organisations. The Irish Fish Producers Organisation,…

UK Fisheries Bill confirms ‘worst fears’ for Irish fishermen

Legislation that creates powers for the United Kingdom to operate as an independent coastal state and to manage its fish stocks sustainably outside the EU have been introduced at Westminster (29/01). The Fisheries Bill delivers a 'legal guarantee'…

Seafood programme to 2027 seeks public input

A public consultation that runs to February 7 next will inform on a new sustainable development programme for the seafood sector 2021-2027. The current operational programme, which is funded under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund and…

Profile of Ireland’s commercial fishing industry

Widely regarded as one of the most dangerous professions, commercial fishing is profiled in an hour-long documentary (TG4, January 8, 9.30pm) at Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Heilbhic on Ireland’s southern coastline. The screening takes…
Roundstone final

Fisheries conservation inside 6-mile zone and Celtic Sea

From January 1, trawling by all vessels over 18m in length is banned within Ireland’s 6-mile zone, except for a sprat fishery which will be phased out by 2021 to give vessels in the fishery time to transition to other activities. The ban,…

‘Reasonable result’ for Ireland’s fishing industry 2020

The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) has described the agreement reached for Ireland's fishing industry on 2020 opportunities as “a reasonable overall result” for certain key stocks. The December fisheries council at which total…