‘This is about protecting lives’ - Waterford fishermen warn of ‘emergency’ situation

Waterford fishermen have warned of an “emergency” situation for the fishing industry, the Dáil has heard.

The issue was raised by Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness during a debate on fisheries.

Deputy McGuinness said: “Across every coastal county from Louth to Donegal, down to Waterford and Cork, fishers and processors now face the perfect storm of quota cuts, rising costs, loss of traditional fishing grounds and continued overfishing by external states.

“The result is a crisis or, more accurately, an emergency,” he added.

Deputy McGuinness gave details of a survey he conducted alongside his Sinn Féin colleague Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.

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The survey found that 98% of fishermen do not believe the Government is protecting the industry or has its back.

The survey also found that 91% believed that, without a radical change in direction, the fishing industry would not survive the next three to five years.

Deputy McGuinness went on to criticise the Government’s “failure” to secure adequate fishing quotas and described Brexit as “catastrophic” for the Irish fishing industry.

He urged the Government to press for an urgent review of quota allocations at EU level in order to ease the pressure on Irish fishermen.

He mentioned a number of key fishing locations in County Waterford which he believes have been neglected in recent years.

“Harbour infrastructure [...] is the backbone of our fishing economy, yet across the country, in particular Waterford, it is crying out for investment.

“In the quay in Heilbhic, dredging has been identified as a dire need by local fishers, the local authority and, indeed, those who volunteer to save lives at sea.

“Progress has stalled for want of State funding. The local authority harbours programme is dysfunctional. I do not think it is fit for purpose. It is inadequate.”

Deputy McGuiness also highlighted the case of the harbour in Dunmore East, which is waiting for approval on a capital funding programme.

“In Dunmore East, one of the State's six designated fishery harbour centres and the most important fishing port in the south east, serving the east coast, north and south, critical safety works remain underfunded.

“Fishers have raised real concerns about berthing safety, quay conditions and overcrowding in the harbour.

“The promised capital works have yet to materialise and we need immediate approval and funding for the Dunmore East capital programme. That would include dredging, quay realignment and safety upgrades.

“It is not just a Waterford issue, as I said. This is about protecting lives, jobs and the long-term viability of one of Ireland's major fisheries ports”, he concluded.

Deputy McGuinness was speaking amid new international scientific advice recommending drastic quota cuts for next year, including cuts of -70% on mackerel, -41% on blue whiting and -22% on boarfish.

International scientists regularly study fish populations, reproduction rates, and ecosystem health to estimate sustainable catch levels.

The ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) gives advice to the EU on how to best distribute fishing quotas to its member states.

Ireland, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), then receives its quota from the European Commission.

The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) has warned of an "enormous" economic impact if these new quotas are implemented.