EU: The European Commission introduced emergency measures yesterday to address the serious economic problems faced by European fishermen.
It also warned that it would step up the fight against illegal and unreported fishing activities and take action against any EU states that failed to fulfil their obligations. The measures are a response to steep falls in fishing stocks in EU waters, and an 18 to 36 per cent rise in fuel oil prices for fishing vessels over the past two years. The Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (IS&WFO) called on Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey to fulfil his promise to meet the industry in the wake of the row over the new sea fisheries Bill, and said the commission's measures "reinforced what we have been saying in Ireland, in spite of recent official 'spin' to the contrary - that this sector is in trouble".
The EU measures include a temporary relaxation of the state aid rules for fishermen and an invitation for member states to present national "rescue and recovery" plans to Brussels for approval. Under these plans member states can provide funding to fishermen that are in danger of bankruptcy.
No new EU money will be offered but existing EU aid schemes for fishermen, which are capped at €3,000 per enterprise over three years, will continue.
"The commission has listened to the calls from a number of member states, MEPs and stakeholders for a response to tackle the economic problems of the fleets at EU level," European fisheries commissioner Joe Borg said.
The Irish Government has announced €45 million for decommissioning older whitefish vessels, just 10 years after the State began spending some €100 million on renewing the whitefish fleet. "This sort of firefighting action shows that we need a strategic plan for the industry,which we have not had," said Jason Whooley of the IS&WFO.
The Irish Fish Producers' Organisation has predicted a crisis in the northwest over this week's early tie-up by 22 pelagic (mackerel/herring) vessels due to a cut in the mackerel quota.