2018 Inshore Strategy Roundstone 2 08

Call for return of 18m boat ban inside six mile zone

In an 'unprecedented' response to a High Court decision to overturn an 18m boat ban from fishing inside the six mile zone, 15 fishing and environmental organisations have collectively called on the marine minister Charlie McConalogue to 'take…

Funding for mussel and oyster farmers impacted by coronavirus

Ireland’s rope mussel and oyster farmers are to receive financial support in recognition of significant Covid-19 impact in first six months of 2020. Announcing the new support scheme at an IFA Aquaculture webinar (October 22), marine minister…

Inshore uncertainty following return of 18m fishing vessels

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed to Ocean Focus it is considering, 'on an urgent basis', implications of a Court order that quashes a ban on fishing vessels over 18m from trawling within Ireland's six nautical…
Irish mackerel and prawn fisheries are heavily dependent on access to UK waters

UK cannot have its ‘fish cake’ and eat it

As the future EU-UK relationship post Brexit nears the end game, a bilateral fisheries agreement remains unresolved. The European Fisheries Alliance, a coalition of fishing fleets representing over 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels in the…

UK and Norway sign historic fisheries agreement

The UK and Norway have agreed a Fisheries Framework Agreement of annual negotiations on the issues of access to waters and quotas. It is the first agreement as an independent coastal state in 40 years. The Department of Environment, Food…

Fisheries penalty points system to remain on the books

A Dáil Motion (29/9) tabled by deputy Padraig MacLochlainn (Sinn Fein) to annul a fisheries Statutory Instrument for penalty points legislation has been defeated by 80:61 votes. In 2018, the European Commission commenced formal infringement…

‘Real-time’ fisheries chart to protect the marine environment

Skippers and crew working on Ireland's 2,022 registered fishing vessels can now access an interactive, real-time digital fisheries chart that provides information on  conservation and fisheries management regulations, designed to help fishermen…

Reopening of Ireland’s fisheries colleges

Ireland's national fisheries colleges in Greencastle, Co Donegal and Castletownbere, Co Cork, have reopened since temporary closure in March due to coronavirus. Reopening of the colleges operated by BIM, the seafood development agency, coincides…

FLAG funding for local communities and micro enterprises

Fifty-six local community groups and micro enterprises have qualified for €1.2m in grant aid under the FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Groups) scheme. Administered by BIM, the scheme supports the seafood sector and coastal communities, and…