Five Irish organisations in the fishing and seafood sectors have come together to demand change at national and EU level.
‘Our objective is to work together on raising awareness of critical challenges impacting the sector at both national and EU level’, reads a joint statement released following extensive consultation.
The organisations are The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WPO), the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation (IS&EPO), and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA).
These organisations state that they are ‘committed to work closely together in a more formalised relationship. We aim to enhance our collective effectiveness as sectoral representatives by presenting a united front’.
KFO CEO Dominic Rihan describes the move as a ‘a first step in a fast-track process towards a more focused and coherent united approach,’ commenting that this has bene done ‘to best represent our membership at both catching and onshore processing segments. We want to develop a national perspective and map a sustainable future for the sector that supports our coastal communities.’
‘Together, we can start a comprehensive wide ranging industry engagement. It is heartening to have cohesion and commitment to a plan that will strategically drive us forward,’ said IFPO CEO Aodh O Donnell.
‘The situation is changing rapidly. We each have a responsibility to mediate, and to deliver better outcomes on a shared basis for our sector that is at a critical juncture. The work plan we agreed prioritises the re-establishing of an effective liaison process with the Marine Minister and his Department officials.’
John Lynch CEO of the IS&EPO is ‘confident that we have a shared view of the essentials to deliver for our members. This is a significant step forward and together we will make progress to advance the sector. Positive change can be achieved if we put our shoulder to the wheel as an aligned group.’
‘Having a road map is useful to move forward. A key outcome is a consensus agreement on the challenges we face in post Brexit and the need to radically reform the Common Fisheries Policy. The support of the Minister and his team will be key to developing a strategic approach,’ said Brendan Byrne CEO of the IFPEA, stating that his organisation supports this move to develop appropriate collaborative strategies.
‘Collectively we have a broad set of shared experiences and capacities,’ said Patrick Murphy CEO of the IS&WPO, adding that the move to unite efforts and initiatives is long overdue.
‘We have been very adversely hit by external factors such as Brexit and the reduction in quotas in recent years. Improved, effective engagement with the Minister and the EU at policy level is a starting point in our aligned workplan.’
‘The Irish fishing industry has been dealt a hammer blow by Brexit on top of the CFP, which is now outdated,’ Dominic Rihan commented. ‘Therefore, this systematic engagement will help to drive and deliver positive change but is reliant on proactive engagement at national and EU Level.’
