Representing leading fishing and processing organisations, The Seafood Ireland Alliance is meeting Irish MEPs in Brussels today to press for decisive EU action to protect Ireland’s seafood sector and coastal communities.
The Alliance is outlining key steps needed to stabilise the industry and safeguard employment ahead of what promises to be a tough year. The delegation wants immediate progress on Hague Preferences, emergency financial support, and a fleet restructuring programme to address the mounting pressures on the Irish fleet.
‘This meeting is about accountability and delivery. We need Ireland’s MEPs to champion immediate, practical support at EU level,’ said Aodh O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), commenting that Ireland’s fishing communities are at a breaking point.
The Alliance is also urging MEPs to support a review of licensing and quota allocations, stronger representation for Ireland on the EU Pêche Committee, and fairer trade measures under Regulation 1026/2012 to ensure a level playing field for Irish operators. The Alliance will highlight the need for a comprehensive BIM impact analysis to quantify the effects of recent quota reductions, rising operational costs, and the ongoing imbalance in quota distribution since Brexit.
‘Coastal communities are running out of time,’ said Dominic Rihan, CEO of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation.
‘Without targeted financial assistance and fair quota access, Ireland’s seafood sector faces irreversible damage.’
Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation said the Alliance’s proposals represent a clear and achievable roadmap.
‘Irish fishers must not continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden of cuts in fishing opportunities and quota transfers to third countries. We need Europe to implement the measures at their disposal to restore balance.’
According to Brendan Byrne of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association said the Alliance ‘will also reaffirm its position that Ireland must secure zero access and zero transfer under the current EU–Norway negotiations, unless Irish fishing interests are fully protected.’
He commented that these priorities are vital to re-establish fairness within the Common Fisheries Policy and to restore confidence in the future of the industry.
ICES has recommended dramatic cuts for some of the 2026 TACs, advising a 71% reduction on mackerel, a 41% cut in blue whiting and a 22% cut in boarfish. For Ireland this could amount to the quota for mackerel being reduced from 78,000 tonnes this year to just 10,800 tonnes in 2026. That would entail direct loss of €66 million in landings value for mackerel alone, and overall losses to the wider Irish economy, taking in processing, logistics, and export value, are estimated at €200 million.
Today’s meeting follows September’s initial engagement with Irish MEPs.
‘We aim to build unified political support ahead of the December Fisheries Council, where key quota and policy decisions will be finalised,’ said John Lynch CEO of Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation.
The Seafood Ireland Alliance delegation comprises John Lynch (ISEFPO), Brendan Byrne (IFPEA), Patrick Murphy (ISWFPO), Dominic Rihan (KFO), and Aodh O’Donnell (IFPO).
