Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation Presentation to MEPs European Parliament Committee on Fisheries CASTLETOWNBERE 20 th March 2008

Introduction Who do we represent? 90 + vessels between Galway and Dunmore East Sizes ranging from 10m to 37m Board of 12 directors - all fishermen All year round fishing Pelagic & White Fish

Local Industry Sales & Processing CTB Fishermen’s Co Op Union Hall Fishermen’s Co Op Shell Fish De La Mer Fast Fish Ltd Ilen Seafoods –Iasc Mara – Rosa Mhil –O Cathain Teo – An Daingean

External Participation of Organisation Ireland –Federation of Irish Fishermen –National Quota Management & other Govt Committees. EUROPE –NWWRAC –EAPO

Importance of the Irish Fishing Industry Indigenous industry Regional demographic and socio-economic importance –rural coastal communities (Disadvantaged areas) Employment –C5000/(11000) directly plus indirect and ancillary employment Economic importance –Seafood sales in 2007 of €803m –Annual sector growth of 8% –Export trade of €360m Source (Report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group 2006)

Economic Overview Decreasing numbers of; – Fishing Vessels –Processors Decreasing volume and value of landings Increased fuel costs and overheads

Economic Overview Dynamic shifts in fleet size and structure –Decommissioning –Quota management –Inshore fleet investment

Irish Demersal landings, volume and value from 1995 to 2004 € Intro Fleet size and landings value Source – Central Statistics Office Ireland & Report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group 2006 Economic outlook

Current National Issues Implementation of Seafood Strategy Report Fishing Fleet - De Commissioning Quota Management Reform Legislation & Dependence on Criminal law

VISION PROFITABLE SUSTAINABLE LEGAL INDUSTRY

Key Points Economy Economic Viability of Industry Socio Economic Factors Oil Prices Quota Management System Discards

Key Points Level Playing Field for Enforcement Environmental & Sustainability EU Fish Imports

Socio Economic Changing Economic Outlook –Potential Opportunities for Fishing Industry Fishing Industry Decline –Local Factory Closures –Reduction in Local Fleet 100% over 10 years. Employment –Lack of New Entrants ??

Economic Viability Financial Pressure on Fishers –Pre Current Fuel Crisis –Inadequate Quota –No Control over key Costs or Sales! Declining Fish Prices National Response –Seafood Strategy Report –De Commissioning

OIL PRICE Fishing potentially Unsustainable at Current Prices –Immediate impact on Vessel costs EU & State Interventions –Level Playing Field Essential –Transparent Information Impact on Fishing Practise?

OIL PRICE Way Forward –Research Longer term Solutions –Finance for Changeover to more Fuel Efficient methods. –Reduce European Imports (increase Demand) Consumer Information –Subsidy for Temporary Tie Up. Short Term Hardship – must be addressed

Quota Issues Historical Imbalance –Ireland at disadvantage –‘Relative Stability Formula’ –‘Hague Preferences’ must be protected. Decision Making Process –Policy where Insufficient Data Exists –Under Utilised Stocks Require Stability post Fleet Reduction

Quota Issues Discards Issue Cod Stocks in Celtic Sea Data Collection & Provision –Industry Science Partnerships.

ENFORCEMENT Level Playing Field –Ir Quota System Administrative Sanctions High Levels of Compliance within Ireland –SFPA – newly established enforcement authority

Sustainability Members Committed to Conservation –Gill Net Sizes –Other Net Sizes –Cod Area Closures Real Time Closures Scotland

European Fish Imports LacK of Consumer Awareness –Traceability of Fish. Best Quality FRESH Organic Fish – undermined by lack of information

Conclusion Opportunity in Changing Economic Outlook Socio Economic Importance of Industry Level European playing field. –Enforcement Europe’s Only Island –Transport costs

Conclusion Quota Issues Immediate Review of 2008 COD Quota – Celtic Sea Fuel Costs & Current Financial Viability

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