A spokesman for The Seafood Ireland Alliance (SIA) has stated that they are disppointed but not surprised at the decision by Ministers Heydon and Dooley to exclude trawlers over 18 metres from the fishing grounds inside the 6 nautical mile baseline.
While this ban is general and far-reaching, SIA states that its true target is the sprat fishery, which has been the focus of recent public campaigns.
‘Despite repeated calls by the Seafood Ireland Alliance for the sprat fishery to be effectively and sustainably managed the government has instead opted to ignore the science and bow to populism,’ SIA states.
‘While the ban will exclude larger vessels it will do nothing to improve the science or the management of the sprat fishery and does not address the need for science-based management in our fisheries.’
The SIA recognises the need to improve how inshore waters are managed. But stresses that Brexit has already put huge pressure on Irish boats of all sizes through lost quotas.
‘These new restrictions would only add to that pressure, without solving any of the underlining management issues in inshore fisheries. This blanket ban will displace boats into whitefish and prawn fisheries already under pressure. It will also force those vessels that are barely over 18m further offshore to fish in adverse weather conditions, jeopardising the safety of fishermen on board,’ SIA’s representative states.
‘The Government and the Department seem to believe those outside the industry carry more credibility than the fishing industry. Constructive engagement with the whole of industry along with BIM and the Marine Institute leading to effective and long-term sustainable management would have been a far better approach.’
