KFO contends herring fishery management is bias against dedicated pelagic vessels
Brian Moore
Claims of discrimination in favour of southern refrigerated saltwater (RSW) pelagic boats by the Minister for the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, have been rubbished by his department.
Speaking to Inshore Ireland, a spokesperson outlined the government’s policy as applied to the management of herring fishing by Irish pelagic vessels.
“In 2011, the minister asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, the Celtic Sea stock, the stocks off the northwest coast and the Atlanto-Scandian stock. The objective was to deliver a policy that would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery.
“Having considered all views and having regard to the sustainability of the fisheries, the minister came to a decision on June 8, 2012 which provides for the proper and effective management, conservation and rational exploitation of the herring stocks.”
Favouritism denied
It is this decision, however, which is based on giving access to each of the fisheries to those with a recent track record in that particular fishery, that has lead to claims that the Minister is favouring vessels fishing in southern waters.
The track record involves vessels having landed a minimum of five tonnes of herring in 2009 or 2010, or in three of the five years during the period 2006 to 2010.
Sean O’Donoghue, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) does not agree with the Minister’s claim that the Herring policy will lead to a bright future for the industry.
“The Minister’s decision on the management arrangements was bias against the dedicated pelagic vessels and it is neither fair nor equitable. Contrary to the Minister’s assertion, it will not lead to the effective management of both herring fisheries in the Celtic Sea and the North West.
“It is extraordinary that we now have a situation where large Dutch factory vessels will be able to fish herring in the Celtic Sea but the dedicated Irish RSW vessels will not.
“Furthermore, some RSW vessels with a very long history of fishing herring in the Celtic Sea are now excluded even though the decision provides for exemptions from the defined track record periods for certain polyvalent vessels. The Minister considers that this is both fair and equitable. It most certainly is not.”
Mr O’Donoghue added that the KFO had put forward “workable and effective proposals” to allow the dedicated pelagic RSW vessels to participate in the Celtic Sea herring fishery “by setting aside a small quantity – 13% of the quota for the RSW vessels.”
He said this percentage share was less than the track record share that the RSW vessels have in the Celtic Sea herring fishery.
“Unfortunately the Minister has ignored these proposals,’ Mr O’Donoghue told Inshore Ireland.
Minister Coveney remains adamant that the current herring management policy will see a bright future for the Irish RSW boats.
“The only exception to track record relates to small vessels in the Dunmore area for the Celtic Sea fishery where a small-scale local fishery is permitted in line with the Rebuilding/ Management Plan for the fishery.
“The policy provides for a modest restricted quota for smaller vessels without a track record in both the Celtic Sea and Area VIa South. Similar to the Under 18m polyvalent mackerel fishery, each month a catch limit will be set in consultation with the industry, and vessels under 20m not in receipt of a specific authorisation for herring may fish up to that limit in the month.”
He added that the decision was based on a “clear, detailed and objective assessment” of the fisheries in recent years.
“This policy is intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the herring fisheries by limiting participation in the main fisheries to those vessels that have participated in the fishery in the five years prior to the commencement of the review, even at a low level,” the Department of the Marine spokesperson concluded.
