Fishermen fear being ‘sold out’ by EU Commission
On the eve of the Fisheries Council, the Federation of Irish Fishermen has issued a statement urging Ireland’s fisheries minister Simon Coveney to safeguard the Irish fishing industry.
Welcoming the latest scientific advice on North East Mackerel Stocks, which recommends an increase of 64% in 2014 TAC, the FIF is concerned the Commission will see this as an opportunity to end the long-running dispute with Iceland and the Faroe Islands over mackerel quota.
MFV Neptune. Photo John Cunningham
” A knee-jerk response by the Commission would have a catastrophic impact on the Europoean fishing industry, and in particular Ireland in the long-term,” warned the FIF chair, Francis O’Donnell.
“The large increase….should be good news but it is actually only 14,000 tonnes greater than the expected catches of 334,000 tonnes for 2013 declared by Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland,” he added.
“Given the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of these countries over recent years, it is totally unacceptable that they now get rewarded for their irresponsible actions. This is sending a very negative message to those who play by the rules. In my opinion, the Commisison is acting in direct contravention of their own stated principles.”
In a meeting with the FIF, Minister Coveney confirmed it will be ‘totally unacceptable’ to his department if the Commission offers Iceland and Faros ‘a large and unjustified percentage share at Ireland’s expense’.
Challenge urged
MEP Pat the cope Gallagher has also called on Minister Coveney to ‘forcefully challenge’ EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki as to why she is willing to reward ‘reckless behaviour’ at the expense of Irish fishermen ‘who have acted in a responsible way over the last number of years’.
According to MEP Gallager, today’s Norwegian press has offered Iceland 11.9% and the Faroe Islands, 12% of the future total allowable catch for mackerel.
“Furthermore, I am aware that the Commission are going to individual countries, making side deals on other fish stocks in order to get the Council to agree their proposal,” he added.
‘Minister Coveney must doe his utmost to protect the Irish mackerel fishery’, worth €125m per annum to Ireland’s largest fishing port, Killybegs.
