Communities living along the coast sustained by the 1.1billion Irish fishing industry and the 11,000 jobs which it supports are extremely concerned at the potentially devastating ramifications of Brexit according to the Killybegs Fishermen’s Association.
Speaking at a conference organised by the European Fisheries Alliance to highlight and debate the impact of Brexit on the on the fisheries sector and the local communities which depend on it, KFO Chief Executive Officer, Seán O’Donoghue said that fishing was unique among all sectors, being fundamentally intertwined with the UK in sharing a limited resource as well as grounds and markets.
While this event has brought together local representatives, fishermen and politicians from the nine countries of the European Fisheries Alliance and each is unique in terms of its structure and culture, we are united by the common bond of the potentially appalling vista which Brexit represents.
18,000 fishermen representing an annual turnover of 20.7billion of which Ireland accounts for 1.1billion have been plunged into the most grim uncertainty since the UK voted to leave the EU on June 23rd of last year. Our industry is entwined with Britain like no other with our two biggest fisheries, mackerel and nephrops being inextricably linked to the UK. We are imploring our Government to play its part in ensuring the EU explicitly include fisheries in the negotiation mandate to guarantee mutual access to traditional fishing grounds, preservation of the current distribution of TAC and quotas as well as maintaining the existing trading arrangements post Brexit,” said Mr O’Donoghue.
Approximately 100 shared fish stocks which swim in European waters move around and obviously know no national boundaries. The uniqueness of the fishing industry where fish resources are shared with the UK and stocks are jointly managed across seamless national jurisdictions in a sustainable manner requires very special consideration in all negotiations. Brexit is potentially disastrous for the Irish fleet particularly if fisheries negotiations are separated from the wider trade negotiations.
“There can be no long-term sustainable, viable and mutually beneficial post-Brexit agreement in which the issue of fisheries remains unresolved. It is therefore essential for the survival of our industry and our dependant coastal communities that fisheries is prioritised during all negotiations and fully linked with the trade negotiations. That is the unequivocal message which we are sending to our political leaders here in Santiago de Compostela today in launching this declaration by European coastal communities that they won’t accept being left behind or sacrificed when Britain leaves the EU. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who took time to lend their support and sign the declaration particularly my Irish industry colleagues,” concluded Mr O’Donoghue.
He also acknowledged the attendance of, and role played by the Irish Fish Producer’s Organisation, the Irish South and East Fish Producer’s Organisation, the Irish Fish Processors’ and Exporters Association, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
2017 Donegal Now