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Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation

Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation. Presentation to MEPs European Parliament Committee on Fisheries CASTLETOWNBERE 20 th March 2008. Introduction. Who do we represent? 90 + vessels between Galway and Dunmore East Sizes ranging from 10m to 3 7 m

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Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation

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  1. Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation Presentation to MEPs European Parliament Committee on Fisheries CASTLETOWNBERE 20th March 2008

  2. Introduction Who 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

  3. Local Industry Sales & Processing • CTB Fishermen’s Co Op • Union Hall Fishermen’s Co Op • Shell Fish De La Mer • Fast Fish Ltd • IlenSeafoods • Iasc Mara – Rosa Mhil • O CathainTeo – An Daingean

  4. External Participation of Organisation • Ireland • Federation of Irish Fishermen • National Quota Management & other Govt Committees. • EUROPE • NWWRAC • EAPO

  5. 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)

  6. Economic Overview • Decreasing numbers of; • Fishing Vessels • Processors • Decreasing volume and value of landings • Increased fuel costs and overheads

  7. Economic Overview • Dynamic shifts in fleet size and structure • Decommissioning • Quota management • Inshore fleet investment

  8. Current National Issues • Implementation of Seafood Strategy Report • Fishing Fleet - De Commissioning • Quota Management Reform • Legislation & Dependence on Criminal law

  9. VISION PROFITABLE SUSTAINABLE LEGAL INDUSTRY

  10. Key Points • Economy • Economic Viability of Industry • Socio Economic Factors • Oil Prices • Quota Management System • Discards

  11. Key Points • Level Playing Field for Enforcement • Environmental & Sustainability • EU Fish Imports

  12. 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 ??

  13. 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

  14. 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?

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Quota Issues • Discards Issue • Cod Stocks in Celtic Sea • Data Collection & Provision • Industry Science Partnerships.

  18. ENFORCEMENT • Level Playing Field • Ir Quota System • Administrative Sanctions • High Levels of Compliance within Ireland • SFPA – newly established enforcement authority

  19. Sustainability • Members Committed to Conservation • Gill Net Sizes • Other Net Sizes • Cod Area Closures • Real Time Closures Scotland

  20. European Fish Imports • LacK of Consumer Awareness • Traceability of Fish. • Best Quality FRESH Organic Fish – undermined by lack of information

  21. Conclusion • Opportunity in Changing Economic Outlook • Socio Economic Importance of Industry • Level European playing field. • Enforcement • Europe’s Only Island • Transport costs

  22. Conclusion • Quota Issues • Immediate Review of 2008 COD Quota – Celtic Sea • Fuel Costs & Current Financial Viability

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