European Commission cuts to hit fishermen

European Commission cuts to hit fishermen

2 December 2015

FISHERMEN in Ardglass are facing more bad news with the European Commission proposing a 10 per cent cut in the amount of prawns they can land next year.

The Commission meets next week to agree quota allocations and the number of days trawlers can put to sea in 2016 and Commissioners are being asked to rubber-stamp the 10 per cent prawn reduction and a 52 per cent cut in haddock quotas.

All the trawlers based in Ardglass fish for prawns and local politicians have claimed that scientific evidence in relation to improving prawn socks in the Irish Sea has been “ignored” by the Commission.

Stormont fisheries minister, Michelle O’Neill, has expressed “disappointment” at the proposed quota reductions and believes the Commission has got the basic quotas wrong for prawns and haddock stocks.

She continued: “The prawn proposal represents a 10% reduction, which is in excess of the two per cent reduction suggested by the scientific advice, while the Irish Sea haddock proposal appears to have completely ignored positive trends that show the stock is at its highest level since the early 1990s. This suggests the quota should be increased, yet the proposal represents a reduction of at least 52%.”

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the fishing industry is critical to fuelling economic growth and productivity in the ports of Ardglass and Kilkeel, with the white fish sector and prawns important to the local economy. She said the fishing industry needs to obtain ”realistic quota allocations” to also assist the processing sector.

Miss Ritchie said a special debate is being held at Westminster tomorrow to highlight issues which impact on the local fishing industry, including quota arrangements for 2016 and the inadequacy of the scientific evidence on which decisions are made. She said it’s important the best deal is achieved in Brussels for the local fishing industry. 

The MP confirmed other issues due to be raised tomorrow include the impact the designation of potential marine management zones will have on Irish Sea fishing and the need for further infrastructure developments at Ardglass and Kilkeel harbours to enable larger ships to land.

She added: “I hope the best possible deal for our fishermen can be negotiated at the European Commission discussions. Our local fishing  industry and economic growth depends to a large extent on successful negotiations in Brussels.”

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard has described the proposed fish quota reductions as a “disgrace” and has backed the assertion of Ms O’Neill that scientific evidence in relation to Irish Sea stocks has been “ignored.”

He declared: “It is especially bewildering how a 52 per cent reduction in haddock can be justified considering stocks are at their highest levels since 1992.

“It certainly won’t be easy but it is heartening to know that Minister O’Neill will be fighting hard to secure sensible and sustainable fish quotas to enable our fishermen to maintain viable fishing operations.”