Deputy Murphy seeks clarity and support for fisherman from Minister
COUNTY WEXFORD’S fishermen are facing an uncertain, worrying future unless a deal is thrashed out with the UK to ensure access to fishing waters and quotas is maintained.
Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney was questioned by Independent TD Verona Murphy at a sitting of the Dáil in the Convention Centre on Thursday about what action the government is taking to protect fishermen, many of whom, she said, were not supported adequately during the Covid lockdown.
Deputy Murphy said the new programme for government ensures protection of the interests of the Irish Fishing industry and states the need to seek EU contingency supports and market disturbance funding for the fisheries sector. She questioned Mr Coveney over these commitments, calling on him to clearly explain what steps will be taken to protect the fishing industry post-Brexit, as well as mitigating against the impact of Covid-19.
Deputy Murphy said she recently met with fishermen in Kilmore Quay, Duncannon and other areas in Wexford and heard first-hand the concerns of the local Industry.
‘Presently 30 per cent of the Irish fishing industry’s catch is caught in UK waters. Those waters will soon to be outside of the EU and off limits to Irish trawlers,’ she said.
The UK is insisting that fisheries is not part of any trade deal. ‘Fishermen are very much left in limbo. There is a serious and real concern as 30 per cent of the waters they fished in will soon by in the UK. 60 per cent of their mackerel and 40 per cent of their prawn catches are in these waters so they are mainstays for them. Fishing is the backbone of Kilmore Quay, which is renowned for its quality produce and the Saltee Chipper.’
Deputy Murphy said the biggest concern is displacement. ‘It’s very similar to the road haulage industry in that the majority of EU fishing fleets are registered as UK trawlers so they can avail of the UK portion of the quota.’
Fears that Spanish and French trawlers will come in and fish in Irish waters increasingly post-Brexit have been raised.
Deputy Murphy said Wexford fishermen don’t tend to fish outside Irish waters.
‘The EU are saying fisheries will be part of any EU free trade agreement and the UK say it won’t be. They have introduced a new Fisheries Bill in the House of Commons. Ireland are saying the fishermen will be part of a trading agreement. There is a binding agreement in the withdrawal agreement to discuss fishing access and trade.’
Calling for clarity on the issue, Deputy Murphy said: ‘Brexit is only five months down the road, on December 31. The information is vague at a critical stage. It’s sensitive and therefore no-one is prepared to comment leaving fishermen here in a state of flux. There is a commitment to look for contingencies from the EU to support the fishermen post-Brexit and post-Covid. They should be able to avail of this now.’
She said rushed legislation and trade agreements never work, adding that current quotas need to be maintained. ‘Displacement has never worked for Irish fishermen who feel they were sold out to agriculture in the past.’