INSHORE FISHERMEN CALL FOR SUPPORT
INSHORE fishermen in Kerry have described government proposals to support the sector as not ‘going far enough’.
Cahersiveen fisherman Alex Crowley, who is Secretary of the National Inshore Fisherman’s Association, outlined how its members are at ‘ breaking point’ and urgently need sufficient support if they are to save their livelihoods.
Minister Michael Creed of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine recently announced a suite of measures to support inshore fishermen following the collapse of the market in March due to COVID-19.
But Mr Crowley said while his members welcome the announcement of a “tie-up” scheme, it is not an appropriate measure. He said fishermen are currently surviving on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 – a payment they say is effectively a household income support and not a business support. The tie-up scheme is meant to cover monthly fixed operating costs that apply even when a boat isn’t fishing. However, fishermen – particularly those with boats in the 8m-12m category – say this falls short as there is a wide variation in costs and how ‘cost data’ is calculated.
Moreover, compensation pertaining to the length of a vessel has also been described as ‘unworkable’ as fixed costs are not directly associated with vessel length. For example, insurance costs depend on a vessel’s age and condition, not vessel length.
“This policy will create a situation where a guy with a 12.1-metre vessel will get twice what a guy with an 11.9-meter vessel gets,” Mr Crowley said.
“This is absurd as the person with the smaller boat may still have bigger costs, it doesn’t make any sense. The scheme needs to be reviewed as it won’t meet the objectives set out to stabilise the market.”
He explains that the level of anger at present is palpable among local fishermen, who feel abandoned. Added to the frustration is Minster Creed’s recent allocation of funds for piers and harbours, which Mr Crowley says is a contradiction.
“If there are no fishermen, who is going to be there to use them? Over €40,000 was announced for a slip here in south Kerry, which might only be used a few times in summer. You couldn’t justify this. €40,000 would go a long way if it was given to local fishermen in a place like south Kerry,” he said.
Since the restrictions have been eased in France and Spain in recent weeks, markets have slowly started to re-open. But Mr Crowley says this is limited and with poor prices.
“What we catch is high-end, and until such time as there’s a proper economic recovery, our industry is going to struggle. The Government goes on about these ‘ horizontal supports’ for business. Yet, for example, most inshore fishermen are either sole traders or what’s known as ‘share’ fishermen. This means they’re not entitled to a wage subsidy scheme as you have to be a PAYE employee.
“The €10,000 business restart grant is also only available to businesses that pay commercial rates; fishermen don’t pay commercial rates as they don’t have a commercial premises. Fenit, as a Local Authority harbour, means Kerry County Council charges dues. We’ve been on to them (KCC) to do something about this but as yet we’re still awaiting a response,” he claimed.
Lastly, Mr Crowley says the frustration is made even worse by the fact the relief scheme is not being applied retrospectively. Some fishermen haven’t fished since March, but feel they may yet have a chance to fish in July and August.
“A scheme that offers them tie-up when they may have a chance to fish, and nothing for when they were tied up, makes little sense. I’m not being sensationalist about this, but if something isn’t done there will be serious job losses. A lot of guys are in serious trouble, and they want to be able to keep their heads above water until next March at best,” he said.