COASTAL COMMUNITIES dependent on the fishing and aquaculture industries have not had much to be cheerful about in recent times, but the European Commission’s announcement that it is “questioning even the fundamentals” of its Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is an interesting development. “We are not just looking for another reform — it is time to design a modern, simple and sustainable system for managing fisheries in the EU, which is able to last well into the 21st century,” the fisheries commissioner Joe Borg said, marking publication of the commission’s green paper on a new policy by 2012. Fishing is a hazardous occupation: the loss of two Connemara men last week from their motorised currach off north Co Galway is a sobering reminder of how risky it is, even close to shore.
There has been much discontent in recent years over aspects of the EU’s management of “blue Europe”. Dwindling fish stocks, tightening of EU restrictions, uncertain fuel costs and the collapse in catch prices have created a very challenging environment for those who have remained within the sector here. Just recently there have been blockades of French ports by fishermen who are angry over the closure of quotas in certain areas and low catch prices.
Nothing short of a completely new fisheries management system will halt years of dangerously depleted stocks and get the struggling fishing industry back on its feet, Mr Borg indicated last week, making it clear that he was not pinning the blame on fishermen alone. Consultation with stakeholders is a priority of the EU’s new green paper, he said.
Some 88 per cent of stocks are overfished in Europe, and 30 per cent of European stock is “outside safe biological limits”. Against this backdrop, the European Commission has initiated an aquaculture strategy to ensure it remains a “key player” in sustainable fish farming.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen has welcomed the CFP reform as an acknowledgement of its long held position. This industry has been through many traumas in recent years leading to decommissioning of a section of the whitefish fleet.
Representative groups have enjoyed a constructive relationship with Minister of State for Fisheries Tony Killeen. A signal that the Government is still committed to a sector which could generate new opportunities at a time of growing world demand for seafood would benefit all.