More current quota news
Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:33 pm
Minister denies ignoring evidence ahead of fishing talks
on 14/12/2010 00:00:00
But he said that he had a narrow line to tread between preserving stocks for the future and ensuring that the country's fishing industry survives.
Environmental organisations have accused the Government of ganging up against the European Commission's proposals that would see the cod quota halved and serious cuts in other species on which Irish fishermen depend.
Mike Walker of Ocean2010 said today's meeting in Brussels in which quota will be set for the year will be a showdown between those who believe the warnings of the scientists must be heeded and member states like Ireland.
"The commission has stated that there will be no negotiation of the science - you cannot negotiate with nature and the livelihoods of coastal communities," he said.
Mr Connick, in Brussels for the meeting, said: "We do adhere very strictly to the science."
He added that the recommendations from the EU's main science body, ICES, is very broad. "We also take into account the additional information from the Marine Institute," he said.
The head of the Galway-based institute, Paul Connolly, who is also vice president of ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), is advising the minister during the negotiations.
Mr Connick said that stocks were recovering in some incidences and they wanted this recognised. They were also, as they are every year, fighting to maintain the Hague Preferences, an arrangement that gives Ireland an additional quota share in key stocks such as cod.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen has warned that a new system being proposed for nephrops, including shrimps, in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and West of Ireland would see the country being allocated seven different quotas in these areas.
"This would result in a diminished flexibility for fishermen to move between different fishing grounds as they have traditionally done," it said.
Inshore and island fishermen say their interests are not being taken into consideration during the fish negotiations.
Mr Connick said the department will begin rolling out early next year licences to allow inshore fishermen work in the country's 91 bays. They have been restricted in these areas because of the demands of Natura, the EU's environment protection rules.
While it would take some time to complete the roll out the qualify of produce from the bays will be of such high quality that fishermen will be able to demand a premium price.
on 14/12/2010 00:00:00
But he said that he had a narrow line to tread between preserving stocks for the future and ensuring that the country's fishing industry survives.
Environmental organisations have accused the Government of ganging up against the European Commission's proposals that would see the cod quota halved and serious cuts in other species on which Irish fishermen depend.
Mike Walker of Ocean2010 said today's meeting in Brussels in which quota will be set for the year will be a showdown between those who believe the warnings of the scientists must be heeded and member states like Ireland.
"The commission has stated that there will be no negotiation of the science - you cannot negotiate with nature and the livelihoods of coastal communities," he said.
Mr Connick, in Brussels for the meeting, said: "We do adhere very strictly to the science."
He added that the recommendations from the EU's main science body, ICES, is very broad. "We also take into account the additional information from the Marine Institute," he said.
The head of the Galway-based institute, Paul Connolly, who is also vice president of ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), is advising the minister during the negotiations.
Mr Connick said that stocks were recovering in some incidences and they wanted this recognised. They were also, as they are every year, fighting to maintain the Hague Preferences, an arrangement that gives Ireland an additional quota share in key stocks such as cod.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen has warned that a new system being proposed for nephrops, including shrimps, in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and West of Ireland would see the country being allocated seven different quotas in these areas.
"This would result in a diminished flexibility for fishermen to move between different fishing grounds as they have traditionally done," it said.
Inshore and island fishermen say their interests are not being taken into consideration during the fish negotiations.
Mr Connick said the department will begin rolling out early next year licences to allow inshore fishermen work in the country's 91 bays. They have been restricted in these areas because of the demands of Natura, the EU's environment protection rules.
While it would take some time to complete the roll out the qualify of produce from the bays will be of such high quality that fishermen will be able to demand a premium price.
Re: More current quota news
Wed Dec 15, 2010 10:57 pm
Mr Connick said the department will begin rolling out early next year licences to allow inshore fishermen work in the country's 91 bays. They have been restricted in these areas because of the demands of Natura, the EU's environment protection rules.
While it would take some time to complete the roll out the qualify of produce from the bays will be of such high quality that fishermen will be able to demand a premium price.
What's this then
Re: More current quota news
Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:28 am
Sounds ominous..... 
Re: More current quota news
Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:48 pm
hmmmmmm 
Re: More current quota news
Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:43 pm
Here's a little bit of food for thought. It's a point I copied from a post Jonathan Dukes (aka 'teacher') submitted to another thread on the site. I don't mean to come across as pessimist, I'm just being real. While a cut in any shape or form is keenly welcomed it's important to keep a view of the bigger picture. Anyway here's the point:
Following negotiations in Brussels there has been a cut in fish quotas. They have been cut as an average by 0.9%.
The EU commission, based on the best scientific advice available, which cost many hundreds of millions of Euros to assemble, recommended an average cut across all species of about 22%. This was recommended to try to preserve the stocks and therefore the long term future of those people whose jobs depend on them. The Minister and his Department ignored the commissions advice and dug their heels in coming away with virtually no cut at all. Once again short term concerns took priority over the long term future of those in the commercial sector and the long term protection of the fish stocks that belong to us all. The fact that the FIF were happy with the outcome must tell you something. Sadly the concerns of the small inshore fishermen who have the ability to fish in a sustainable manner have been ignored again.
Regards,
John D.
Following negotiations in Brussels there has been a cut in fish quotas. They have been cut as an average by 0.9%.
The EU commission, based on the best scientific advice available, which cost many hundreds of millions of Euros to assemble, recommended an average cut across all species of about 22%. This was recommended to try to preserve the stocks and therefore the long term future of those people whose jobs depend on them. The Minister and his Department ignored the commissions advice and dug their heels in coming away with virtually no cut at all. Once again short term concerns took priority over the long term future of those in the commercial sector and the long term protection of the fish stocks that belong to us all. The fact that the FIF were happy with the outcome must tell you something. Sadly the concerns of the small inshore fishermen who have the ability to fish in a sustainable manner have been ignored again.
Regards,
John D.