FISHING SKIPPERS and crew are due to meet in Athlone, Co Westmeath, this morning to discuss the outcome of 10 hours of talks with two Government Ministers on the industry’s current financial crisis.
The discussions involving Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Brendan Smith and his Minister of State Tony Killeen concluded shortly before 10pm last night with a pledge by both Ministers to expedite a “new EU-funded package of measures to alleviate the immediate issues of concern to the Irish fishing industry”.
Protesting fishermen have promised to resume a blockade of Cork port and to extend it to Dublin and Foynes, Co Limerick, early next week if they are not satisfied with the proposals.
In a statement last night, the two Ministers stopped short of specifying a commitment to State aid for a temporary tie-up of vessels – as sought by the demonstrators, and by the Federation of Irish Fishermen which represents some 90 per cent of vessels over 12 metres.
The EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg has already signalled that such short-term measures may be permitted under EU guidelines. However, Mr Killeen said he would be impressing upon the commissioner and his council colleagues that “in any package of EU aid a priority had to be attached to the Irish fish fleet”. Mr Killeen added: “This may involve a tie-up or any other initiative which may prove to be more beneficial.”
Mr Killeen cautioned that yesterday’s outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum might not help Ireland’s case at the forthcoming EU fisheries council in Brussels on June 23rd.
The Ministers had pledged to review the current system of penalties for fishery offences, “taking account legal realities”, Mr Killeen said. The fishing industry – and the European Commission – favour a system of administrative penalties for minor offences.
The two Ministers have proposed the establishment of a new Irish seafood marketing initiative under the chairmanship of Bord Iascaigh Mhara chief executive Jason Whooley. They have also proposed the initiation of a fisheries science research partnership to nurture “mutual understanding” on marine science priorities.
The Ministers say they will press for the adoption of new EU regulations to prevent the import of illegal, unregulated and unreported fish into the EU market. Such imports are “undermining the markets for legally caught fish”, they state.
First offers in the Government’s €42 million decommissioning programme are due to be rolled out in the next fortnight, and the Ministers have pledged to meet the FIF before the June 23rd council.