Counting the cost of Covid on our fishing industry
MICHAEL Teahan of Teahan & Partners describes fishing for oysters and mussels in the spectacular surrounds of Cromane Bay as ‘ the best feeling you could have’. It’s his main source of income. A small amount of his catch is sold locally, while the bulk of it is destined for export to Holland, France and China.
“It feels like we’re kind of forgotten about because all our markets have gone for the last four weeks. There is no sign of them reopening anytime soon,” Michael says.
Normally, at this time every year, Michael would be busy working and preparing oysters for export.
“At this time we’d sell maybe one or two tonne every week into the French market and this would keep our industry moving through the summer. We can’t export anything at the moment, so all our income has gone.”
He explains that it’s important to sell oysters at the correct size. Michael’s oyster stocks are currently stored in trestles out at sea, which are continuing to grow. The French and Dutch markets require oysters to be between 80grams and 100grams in size. Michael says, if left in the trestles for too long, oysters can grow up to 200grams. This diminishes their market potential and sale value.
“If this continues it’s going to have a huge impact because the markets won’t be able to take our produce as it will have gone too big. It’s a complete shutdown everywhere. It’s frightening as we don’t know when markets will reopen again.
When will economies in Holland, France and China be there again to buy shellfish in bulk? No one knows.”
Even though there is no market, the overheads and costs of running a business must be met as the fishermen continue to work their trestles in the hope that markets will return sooner rather than later.
“Everything out of Cromane is sold into export,” Michael says.
“But as of selling an oyster or a mussel now, that’s all gone. The Government will have to put some package together to help our people. We have a lot of equipment bought that must be paid for. There’s a huge financial impact on us if the fish can’t be moved on for sale. I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s that bad,” Michael concludes.