Waterford’s fishing industry on ‘fatal course’ amid ‘hammer blow’ decision

Waterford and Ireland’s fishing industry is on a “fatal course” with an “emergency response” needed, a TD has claimed.

Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness was reacting to the European Commission’s decision on Ireland’s fishing quotas for the year ahead.

EU fisheries ministers concluded Agri-Fish Council negotiations on Monday, reaching a deal on allowable fishing quotas for 2026 for countries in the bloc.

The agreement will result in a 70% drop in the total allowable catch for mackerel, along with a 41% reduction in blue whiting and a 22% reduction in boarfish.

Deputy McGuinness took to social media to respond to the decision.

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He stated: “The EU quota decision has put Ireland’s fishing industry on a fatal course and it makes clear there can be no more business as usual.

“Other EU member states voted to block the Hague Preferences, dealing a potentially fatal blow to an already fragile sector and further weakening Ireland’s ability to fish its own waters.
But responsibility now lies with the Irish government to respond.

“Decades of decline cannot be met with more managing of failure. What is needed is a radical reset and a wholly different Irish approach in Europe, before this industry is pushed past the point of no return.”

These sentiments were echoed by his Sinn Féin colleague, David Cullinane, who described the decision as a “hammer blow” for the industry.

Also commenting on social media, Deputy Cullinane noted that the decision could mean a loss of 2,300 jobs and €200 million a year.

“The EU quota decision is pushing Ireland’s fishing industry towards a point of no return. For decades, Irish fishing families and coastal communities have paid the price for an unfair Common Fisheries Policy.

“Loss after loss has been imposed on our fleet while others profit from Ireland’s rich waters. This latest decision is a hammer blow. Managing decline is no longer an option.

“Ireland must take a new, hard-nosed approach in Europe, defending our fishermen, our processors and our coastal communities and demanding fairness at the negotiating table.

“Sinn Féin will continue to stand with the fishing industry and fight for a radical reset in fisheries policy.”

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 that these quotas will have an “enormous” economic impact.