November 23rd 2006

“Irish Fishing Organisations Unite ”

In a major departure for the Fishing Industry, the four main Irish Fishing Organisations have announced that they are joining forces to establish the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF). The Irish South and West Fish Producers Organsiation (IS&WFPO), Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), Killybegs Fishermens Organisation (KFO) and the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation (IS&EFPO) together represent over 90% of full-time fishing vessels over 12 metres in length in the Country. The establishment of Federation of Irish Fishermen formalises the already high degree of partnership which has developed between the Organisations and is intended to provide a more coherent and effective public representation of the Industry's priorities in the face of unprecedented challenges. The initial Board of the Federation comprises the Chairmen and Chief Executives of the constituent Organisations namely Brendan O'Rourke, Lorcán Ó Cinnéide, Martin Howley, Seán O'Donoghue, Peter Carlton, Jason Whooley, Seán Radford and Michael Walsh.

FIF announced today that its first Chairman is Lorcán Ó Cinnéide. The Chairmanship and Secretariat of FIF will rotate among the Organisations, which will continue to operate independently on a day to day basis. Commenting on today's announcement, FIF Chairman Lorcán Ó Cinnéide said "Our Industry has taken a hammering in the past year and is facing very serious threats to its future. We remain convinced that our Industry has a positive, sustainable part to play in Ireland's future economic development and FIF will allow us articulate our position, to serve our members more effectively, to provide robust input into future policy and management and overcome perceptions of fragmentation which we have been accused of."

The new body looks forward to the Report of the Independent Group under Dr. Noel Cawley on a future Strategy for the Industry which is due shortly. FIF will seek early meetings with the Taoiseach, Minister Dempsey and Marine Minister Brown as well as opposition parties to advance the priorities of the industry and FIF will work with other stakeholders to secure the objective of a profitable and sustainable Industry in coming years.