20th December 2004

IS&WFO Representatives travel to Brussels for December Council of Ministers

Representatives of the Irish South and West Fishermens Organisation are travelling to Brussels this week for the December Council of Fisheries Ministers, which will take place from the 21st to the 22nd. As always, this will be a crucial few days in the Fisheries calendar as the Total Allowable Catch and national quotas will be agreed for all fish species. In addition, Fishing Industry proposals to close certain Irish waters to fishing for three months will be debated.

According to Jason Whooley, Manager of the IS&WFO, “The quotas that will be agreed at the Council are crucial for our members as they will determine our fishing opportunities for the next twelve months. We welcome the fact that the Commission have recommended increased quotas for most whitefish species in our area and in particular key stocks such as Monkfish, Hake and Cod. The proposed increase in the Cod quota is especially welcome as it disproves much of the recent sensationalist reporting on fishing issues. In addition, we are counting on Minister Pat “The Cope” Gallagher to secure agreement on the Industry proposals to further enhance Celtic Sea Cod. These proposals involve the closure of 4,500 square miles of the Celtic Sea for three months to all fishing. This move will also benefit other species such as Whiting, Haddock, Sole and Plaice. Proposals like these are the way forward as they are supported by fishermen and will deliver conservation without drastic socio-economic costs to fishing communities”.

The Commission proposal to cut the quota for Celtic Sea Herring is a source of concern. Mr. Whooley had this to say “We feel that the scientific advice on Celtic Sea Herring is not giving a true picture of the stock in the area and therefore, we can’t agree with the proposal to cut the quota. This is a well-managed stock and we are optimistic that the Minister can secure an improvement on the current proposal.”