Tom MacSweeney: Anger and concern in Cork  fishing communities after EU talks

“A sad day for the Irish fishing industry, a very sad day for Ireland and a disaster for the dysfunctional Fisheries Council process. Ireland has been betrayed by the EU.”

John Lynch, CEO of the South and East Fish Producers’ Organisation, was blunt summing-up anger and concern in coastal fishing communities this week over the outcome of this year’s EU fishing negotiations.

“Ireland’s situation has been dismissed, ignored. We now have a situation where our fleet of fishing vessels are left with 28 tonnes of sole to catch in 2026 on the south coast of Ireland, when Belgium has 450 tonnes.”

That is just one example of how Ireland’s fishing industry is being badly treated at the EU.

The Seafood Alliance, joint representative body for the industry, catching and processing sectors, has forecast a stark overall effect.

“Coastal communities will be decimated. Over 2,300 jobs are in danger.”

Blunt comments from chief executives, the strongest I have heard in many years of reporting the industry, reflect a view that EU Member States are unfairly exploiting Irish waters where they have 75% catching rights, compared to 15% for Irish boats.

“A small country has been rolled over by big business,” said Mr Lynch.

While the Irish industry is still mainly composed of independent, often family operations, big companies dominate other EU fishing industries.

“Ireland has fished responsibly, yet we now carry the heaviest losses,” says Patrick Murphy of the Irish South and West Fish Producers in Castletownbere, one of the communities which will be hard hit.

There is particular anger, voiced also by fisheries minister Timmy Dooley, against the aggression shown towards Ireland by France, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands which joined forces to block implementation of a long-standing arrangement that helped Ireland counter the impact of other EU Nations in Irish waters — the Hague Preferences.

“As this has not been honoured, why should Ireland continue to offer generous access to our rich fishing waters?“ says Aodh O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation. 

“It raises serious questions about future co-operation with other European fishing industries.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and fisheries minister Dooley have indicated a working group is to be established to support the industry following the disastrous negotiations. More than talk is needed to support coastal communities.

What importance is attached to them at State and Government level?

Editor Mark McCarthy of the national fishing paper, Marine Times, was also blunt. “If it was over 2,000 jobs at risk in a multinational company there would be a national crisis.

“The impacts of this betrayal are far-reaching. Everyone in the industry and around the coast will be affected.”

LUC BEACH AT RINGASKIDDY

Ringaskiddy is more than just a battle against Indaver’s toxic waste incinerator. It has seaside facilities which could be developed for the benefit of Corkonians, according to a proposal put to the County Council calling for it to take control of Luc Strand at Loughbeg.

This is at the same time as Fáilte Ireland, Cork City and County Councils and the Port of Cork published a ‘Draft Tourism Strategy for Cork Harbour.’ Surprising timing, when the possibility of an incinerator dominating the harbour entrance is causing great community concern, a significant factor surely, but overlooked in the strategy. 

The local authorities and State agencies again used the ‘cart-before-the-horse’ approach. Rather than initial sensing of public opinion through ‘town hall’ style meetings, which could provide better understanding before finalising a plan, they published it, then sought response as a secondary action.

Better courtesy and understanding shown to the public should be the norm. Luc Strand is one of several harbourside facilities which should be given better State and local authority support.

Where did the name “Luc” come from?

“A local nickname from a time when the area was popular with university students,” I was told.

The name Ringaskiddy originates from the Irish word “Rinn” (“a point”) and “gascidí” (cultivated land).

Ownership of Luc Strand was stated at a council meeting to be with the Industrial Development Authority. Can that be so in regard to foreshore?

CAPE CLEAR SPECIAL BIRD

A 26-year-old European storm petrel has been identified by John Horton, warden of the Cape Clear Bird Observatory, as one of the oldest ever recorded.

These small birds travel 6,000 miles from wintering grounds off west and southern Africa to Ireland and, post-breeding, fly back south again. The Cape Observatory has been monitoring them for 50 years.

“We have a notable record from this past summer,” John says, tracing one of these sparrow-sized birds which has clocked up 310,000 miles travelling between wintering and breeding grounds.

“Truly a marvel that these delicate birds, which spend the majority of their lives negotiating some of the world’s most treacherous seas, are able to survive for so long,” says John.

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