Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation
Presentation to MEPsEuropean Parliament Committee on
FisheriesCASTLETOWNBERE
20th March 2008
IntroductionWho do we represent?
• 90 + vessels between Galway and Dunmore East•Sizes ranging from 10m to 37m
• Board of 12 directors - all fishermen
• All year round fishing•Pelagic & White Fish
Local Industry Sales & Processing
• CTB Fishermen’s Co Op
• Union Hall Fishermen’s Co Op
• Shell Fish De La Mer
• Fast Fish Ltd
• Ilen Seafoods– Iasc Mara – Rosa Mhil– O Cathain Teo – An Daingean
External Participation of Organisation
• Ireland– Federation of Irish Fishermen– National Quota Management & other Govt
Committees.
• EUROPE– NWWRAC– EAPO
Importance of the Irish Fishing Industry
• Indigenous industry• Regional demographic and socio-economic importance
– rural coastal communities (Disadvantaged areas)• Employment
– C5000/(11000) directly plus indirect and ancillary employment
• Economic importance– Seafood sales in 2007 of €803m– Annual sector growth of 8%– Export trade of €360m
Source (Report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group 2006)
Economic Overview
• Decreasing numbers of;– Fishing Vessels– Processors
• Decreasing volume and value of landings
• Increased fuel costs and overheads
Economic Overview
• Dynamic shifts in fleet size and structure– Decommissioning– Quota management– Inshore fleet investment
Current National Issues
• Implementation of Seafood Strategy Report •Fishing Fleet - De Commissioning•Quota Management Reform
•Legislation & Dependence on Criminal law
VISION
PROFITABLESUSTAINABLE
LEGAL INDUSTRY
Key Points
• Economy
• Economic Viability of Industry• Socio Economic Factors
• Oil Prices
• Quota Management System• Discards
Key Points
• Level Playing Field for Enforcement
• Environmental & Sustainability
• EU Fish Imports
Socio Economic
• Changing Economic Outlook– Potential Opportunities for Fishing Industry
• Fishing Industry Decline– Local Factory Closures– Reduction in Local Fleet
• 100% over 10 years.
• Employment– Lack of New Entrants ??
Economic Viability
• Financial Pressure on Fishers– Pre Current Fuel Crisis– Inadequate Quota– No Control over key Costs or Sales!
• Declining Fish Prices
• National Response– Seafood Strategy Report– De Commissioning
OIL PRICE
• Fishing potentially Unsustainable at Current Prices– Immediate impact on Vessel costs
• EU & State Interventions– Level Playing Field Essential– Transparent Information
• Impact on Fishing Practise?
OIL PRICE
• Way Forward– Research Longer term Solutions– Finance for Changeover to more Fuel Efficient
methods.– Reduce European Imports (increase Demand)
• Consumer Information
– Subsidy for Temporary Tie Up.
• Short Term Hardship – must be addressed
Quota Issues
• Historical Imbalance– Ireland at disadvantage– ‘Relative Stability Formula’– ‘Hague Preferences’ must be protected.
• Decision Making Process– Policy where Insufficient Data Exists– Under Utilised Stocks
• Require Stability post Fleet Reduction
Quota Issues
• Discards Issue
• Cod Stocks in Celtic Sea
• Data Collection & Provision– Industry Science Partnerships.
ENFORCEMENT
• Level Playing Field– Ir Quota System
• Administrative Sanctions
• High Levels of Compliance within Ireland– SFPA – newly established enforcement
authority
Sustainability
• Members Committed to Conservation– Gill Net Sizes– Other Net Sizes– Cod Area Closures
• Real Time Closures Scotland
European Fish Imports
• LacK of Consumer Awareness – Traceability of Fish.
• Best Quality FRESH Organic Fish – undermined by lack of information
Conclusion
• Opportunity in Changing Economic Outlook
• Socio Economic Importance of Industry
• Level European playing field.– Enforcement
• Europe’s Only Island– Transport costs
Conclusion
• Quota Issues
• Immediate Review of 2008 COD Quota – Celtic Sea
• Fuel Costs & Current Financial Viability
•?