“Long-term Plan needed for the fishing industry”

There is no doubt that the fishing industry in Ireland is going through one of its most difficult periods. Everyone involved in the sector feels isolated, and frustration is the most common sentiment around the coast. Representatives are running from one problem to the next. This fire brigade management is characteristic of our fishing industry. Short-term problems are dictating too many work schedules and agendas. We are not differentiating between the immediate problems and the more important difficulties. We are failing to address the trends that are developing in our sector. Our short-term focus is hindering the industry’s long-term development. As an industry we need to develop a long-term plan. This plan needs to be produced over a 6-12 month period. It must be driven by the fishing sector with total political involvement and support. The hard issues facing the sector will have to be discussed, and difficult decisions will have to be taken. If we take on that task, however, we can secure a viable future.

A long-term discussion on the industry needs to be wide ranging. Issues that need to be covered include resource management including quota management and decommissioning. Marketing and processing are other key areas that need to be looked at.