FISHERMEN INTEND to step up their campaign over fuel prices and the impact of cheap fish imports, with a number of vessel owners now calling for a No vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
More than 65 vessels from a number of southern ports steamed into Cork harbour and up the river Lee yesterday, while some 19 boats also berthed in Galway on the high tide as part of a peaceful demonstration.
The Galway vessels, which were joined by boats from Clogherhead, Co Louth, bore slogans such as "Ola suas, iasc saor, báid le balla" (oil up, cheap fish, boats to the wall)" when they steamed through Galway docks just after 10am yesterday.
Further protests are planned, including a picket tomorrow at the headquarters of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority in Clonakilty, Co Cork.
Ebbie Sheehan, spokesman for the southwest fleet, said hunger strikes are also being considered by several representatives unless there is a genuine political response.
This week's demonstrations are not endorsed by the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF), the umbrella organisation representing some 90 per cent of vessels over 12 metres.
The federation staged a protest outside Leinster House in Dublin last week, and also organised fish sales at quayside prices in Dunmore East, Co Waterford, Galway and Killybegs, Co Donegal.
However, Mr Sheehan said frustration was such that skippers and crew felt the need for further action in the lead-up to the next EU fisheries council.
"The FIF wants us to negotiate, but our voices are not being heard by the Government. It is not only vessels that are in trouble over escalating fuel prices, unworkable quotas and forced dumping of fish," Mr Sheehan said.
"Shore-based businesses are also suffering badly, as people can't afford to pay bills."
Steve Joyce, spokesman for the protesting vessels in Galway, said the "criminalisation" of fishermen by recent legislation was also a focus for their protest.
Some 50 boxes of whitefish, including monkfish, prawns, hake and megrim, were sold by the vessels to the public for quayside prices at Spanish Arch yesterday.
Mr Joyce said his group were making no comment on the Lisbon Treaty referendum, but Mr Sheehan said southwest fishermen had been campaigning on the issue for several weeks.
"We have pointed out to businesses that they are going to suffer under the EU in the way that the fishing industry has suffered since we joined," Mr Sheehan said. "Farming and fishing, and rural communities, are not benefiting from EU membership."
EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg has ruled out direct fuel subsidies, but has indicated that temporary measures can be taken by EU member states if they are within EU rules.
The FIF says this allows for a subsidised temporary tie-up, similar to subsidised set-aside for farmers.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said the Minister, Brendan Smith, and his Minister of State Tony Killeen had requested an early meeting with Commissioner Borg to "discuss the difficulties being experienced by the industry".
The issue is "also to be discussed" at the forthcoming EU fisheries council, the department said. "In advance of these meetings, Minister Smith has had a lengthy and thorough telephone discussion with Commissioner Borg," it added.