When the Connacht-Ulster MEP Mr Joe McCartin recently welcomed European Parliament proposals for a 24-mile national fishing limit for EU coastal states, there were those in the industry who said his support might be a bit late. Such has been the pressure on stocks within the current 12-mile limit off this island that certain areas have been virtually fished out.
In this context, last Friday's publication of a report on the inshore coastal area could not have come early enough. As the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, stated at a function in Clifden, Co Galway, it is the first such analysis. He said it would form part of his task force's brief for review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002. Several member-states, notably Spain, want the 12-mile limit dropped.
The document, commissioned by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, illustrates how closely the bulk of the Irish fishing fleet hugs the coast - largely due to its inability to purchase larger vessels in the past. The fleet, involving vessels of 15 metres or under in length, ranges from the shrimp potter to the traditional wooden half decker. The sector employs over 3,700 people - representing almost half of those skippers and crews working at sea.
Valued at about £30 million annually, the sector represents about 83 per cent of the national fleet in vessel numbers, but less than 16 per cent in total tonnage. The average age of these small vessels is 30 years. The study also notes that about 20 per cent of those involved in inshore fishing are also dependent on social welfare.
The Minister said that he favoured local management of the coastal fish stocks, and accepted one of the report's main recommendations - the establishment of national advisory committee on management of inshore fisheries. He also approved a pilot study to examine the feasibility of local development committees for the inshore sector.
Recently, the Minister approved a £4 million package to improve 41 small harbours and landing places. It is the first such programme, involving 75 per cent investment from the Exchequer and 25 per cent from local authorities.