Leader of Independent Ireland Michael Collins has said that Ireland’s fisheries “risk becoming a museum for decommissioned boats,” as he warned that the sector is facing an “Armageddon moment” where recovery becomes both financially and culturally impossible.
His comments come amid a deepening international row with Norway over proposed European Union fishing quotas. On Wednesday, Minister of State for the Marine, Timmy Dooley, said that he has instructed Irish officials in Brussels to vote against access for Norway to blue whiting in EU waters. Mr Dooley yesterday told the Dáil that he had “made it very clear to officials who negotiate on our behalf in advance of council meetings that it cannot be business as usual”.
“We have to make it very clear,” he said, that we “cannot allow a State that has robbed us of our breakfast, lunch and tea to expect we should hand it something in return.” The Minister said that Ireland will “suffer most” from overfishing.
“Elements of the industry would indicate that over the past five years about 1 million tonnes have been fished above what would be acceptable based on scientific advice. That has a huge impact on fish stocks.”
Last week, an Oireachtas Committee heard that the EU quota cuts present “existential threat” to the future of Ireland’s fishing industry, with warnings from industry leaders that new scientific advice recommending quota cuts of 70% for mackerel, 41% for blue whiting, and 22% for boarfish, could cost the livelihoods of those in coastal communities.
Mackerel is Ireland’s most valuable catch, estimated to be worth €94 million in exports last year to premium European and Asian markets.
Speaking during the Dáil debate on fisheries which he secured following numerous requests submitted to Government Chief Whip Mary Butler and the Dáil Business Committee which sets the schedule for debates, Cork South-West TD Michael Collins said that “insurmountable” economic challenges will arise if a recommendation from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for the total catch of the Atlantic mackerel stocks to be reduced by 70% is adopted.
He also placed a spotlight on the 17 boats in Castletownbere that have recently been permanently decommissioned while the roads leading to Castletownbere are being destroyed due to the frequency of Spanish trucks transporting massive hauls from Spanish trawlers, a situation he describes as ‘grotesque mockery of fairness.’
He added, “The question that keeps coming up among the fishermen I talk to is why no one in Government is effectively fighting their corner. Why are they being allowed to drift toward total collapse when we have some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Why is there no mention of an emergency financial aid package to act as a transition measure of support until we can claw back some of the damage that has been caused from the estimated loss of €90-€100 million the sector has experienced?”
“Our Blue Fin quota is non-existent. Our mackerel catch is facing obliteration; our rights to Rockall go undefended and unsecured. Meanwhile the world and its mother can sail into our waters and fill their boats to overflowing. It is an injustice of existential proportions.”
“We need answers around how Government intends to implement an effective succession plan for what remains of our fleets. Minister Heydon recently published the report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming. There is no question that our fisheries demand a similar highly targeted approach.”
“To put it as bluntly as it was put to me at a recent meeting, our fishery professionals are pissed off. They are tired of platitudes. They need immediate action and if necessary legal challenges to combat the disgraceful treatment the sector has received in terms of pathetic quotas from the EU.”
“We are legitimately approaching the point of no-return. You cannot keep hitting an industry with punishing levels in inaction and expect it to survive. This is a do or die moment. Government must decide which of those options it prefers.”
According to the IFPO boss, Ireland’s fishing industry could sustain losses of up to €200m over deep cuts for 2026. The EU is expected to make the quota cuts in light of new international advice recommending deep cuts to key pelagic and whitefish fish stocks for 2026.
In a statement provided to Gript, Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley TD said he will raise the matter at at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council next week.
“I am acutely aware that the scale of the reductions in key stocks indicated by recent scientific advice is a matter of grave concern for Ireland’s seafood sector, and the coastal communities which are dependent upon it economically. I share this concern and understand the call for a whole of Government response.
“I will be raising an AOB point at next week’s Agriculture & Fisheries Council to call for urgent action by the EU to save our pelagic stocks in the North East Atlantic. I will be calling on the Fisheries Commissioner and fellow Member States to send a clear signal that the EU will no longer tolerate actions which threaten the sustainability of our fish stocks,” said Mr Dooley.