Media ReleaseEmbargo: 1:00pm Friday, 13th December 2002Massive Support for Fishing Industry’s National Day of Action
There
has been massive support around the country for the National Day of Action
called by the fishing industry organisations to protest at the so-called reforms
of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, due to be decided on in Brussels next
week. Thousands
of fishermen, employees of fish processing companies and transport companies as
well as local people have attended pier-side meetings in fishing ports around
the coastline. All fishing
vessels at sea were called ashore to attend the meetings, which started at 12
Noon. Among
the ports where vessels tied up for protest meetings were:
·
Greencastle,
County Donegal ·
Killybegs,
County Donegal ·
Rossaveal,
County Galway ·
Dingle,
County Kerry ·
Castletownbere,
County Cork ·
Union
Hall, County Cork ·
Baltimore,
County Cork ·
Dunmore
East, County Waterford ·
Howth,
County Dublin ·
Clogherhead,
County Louth The organisations supporting the Day of Action
are: ·
Irish
Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO) ·
Irish
Fish Processors and Exporters’ Association (IFPEA) ·
Irish
South & West Fish Producers’ Organisation (IS&WFPO) ·
Killybegs
Fishermens’ Organisation (KFO) The fishing industry campaign of action is in support of
‘A Fair Deal for Irish Fishing’ and is united around five key issues
in the current negotiations: Ø
Quota Allocation The Irish fishing industry is not prepared to accept a quota allocation
determined in the 1970’s which gives Ireland 5% of the overall Community
resources although it has 11% of the overall Community waters.
The reform proposals must ensure an enhanced allocation to Ireland. Ø
The Irish Box is of extreme importance in biological, environmental and conservation
terms for both the European and Irish fishing industries.
The industry is adamant that the present limits including the forty
vessels restriction on Spain must not only be retained but the Irish Box needs
enhanced protection with a further reduction in fishing effort for all member
states (including Ireland) in the Irish Box. Ø
Fleet Reduction The Commissions fleet proposals are flawed and will not achieve the aim
of sustainable fish stocks. In Ireland’s case the ultimate outcome of the
Commission’s proposals would mean 40% reduction in the whitefish fleet and the
loss of approximately 2,000 jobs working on board fishing vessels. The industry
is advocating an alternative policy based on technical conservation measures,
closed areas, reduction of discards and strict but even handed enforcement. Ø
Cod Crisis The Commission is intent on introducing massive 80% total allowable
catches and days at sea cuts over a range of species as a way of solving the Cod
crisis. The Irish industry is totally opposed to this method and is putting
forward a modified Irish Sea Cod recovery programme which the Commission has
fully supported over the last three years as the way forward in achieving Cod
sustainability. Ø
Social - Economic & Regional Aspects The
reform proposals must include provision for the sustainability of the coastal
peripheral fishing Communities. The one dimensional approach of the
Commission’s proposals in terms of retraining fishermen and scrapping vessels
will destroy fishing Communities. The reform proposals must develop and enhance
the fishing Communities and in Ireland’s case an extra share of fish resources
contiguous to these areas would significantly help in sustaining and developing
these Communities - ENDS - Further
Information: Lorcán Ó Cinnéide
Jason Whooley IFPO
IS&WFPO Mobile: 087 629 9522
Mobile: 086 236 0001 Seán O’Donoghue
KFO Mobile: 087 419 6535
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