NI Trawlers Net 'Mixed Bag' In Brussels

NI fisherman may have to stay in port for even longer than previous years thanks to European Union fishing quotas - although Brussels negotiations have proved to be a mixed catch.

Already, MEP Jim Nicholson has said that the recent fisheries negotiations held in Brussels show that "root and branch" reform of the Common Fisheries Policy is needed.

The Ulster Unionist Member described the outcome of the past weekend's European Fisheries Commission talks as "something of a mixed bag" after the annual talks on fishing quotas in Brussels concluded in the early hours of Saturday morning.

However, he said: "The fact that the feared cut to our prawn quota has not materialised will be welcomed by those who rely on this key stock for their livelihoods.

"These talks do, however, show that there is clearly a need for root and branch reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

"This reform must devolve more power to individual Member states to permit them to make key decisions regarding their fleets, their fisheries and, ultimately, their communities who rely on the fishing industry for survival.

"The rigid, centralised decision-making approach currently employed by the commission is overly complex and does not produce good outcomes; it is clear that 'one size does not fit all'."

The South Down SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie said: "Whilst happy with prawn quotas, I am disappointed herring, cod and cuts in days at sea will see a reduction in fishing effort.

"There needs to be further negotiations to ensure we have a sustainable off-shore and on-shore fishing industry. There needs to be reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, which means regionalisation for the fish species allocations.

"We do not want areas like South Down to be subject to the political chicanery of Britain's negotiations with the Eurozone.

"Further restrictions to the days at sea regulations and the cod delivery programme is unacceptable and has the potential to jeopardise an industry that is an integral part of our economy."

Also commenting, Dick James, Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation Chief Executive, said: "There will be tough times ahead for the Northern Ireland fishing industry.

"On top of the 25% cut in cod and 5% cut in haddock, we face a 23% cut in sole, 5% cut in monkfish, 5% cut in megrims and a 6% cut in hake.

"Compared with the 150% increase for the cod quota in the English Channel and 200% increase in haddock quota off Scotland, we had done badly. This will spell the end of the white fish fishing sector in Northern Ireland," he claimed.

Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt said the news coming out of Brussels regarding next year’s fishing quotas underlines the need for urgent reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Strangford MLA and Ulster Unionist Economy spokesman said: "The Minister points to success regarding prawns, with no change to the quota, despite the European Commission starting by proposing a 19% cut. That is certainly the element where you could say the glass is half full. But against that comes news of what is happening to the cod and herring quotas, which have both received vicious and unwarranted cuts. In this regard, the glass is more than half empty, and it seems to me this is an annual issue that needs to be addressed differently."

Stormont Catch Explained

In counterpoint, this morning, the Stormont Fisheries, Minister Michelle O'Neill (pictured) said: "I'm pleased with the outcome. I came to Brussels with the objective of maintaining the quota levels for our prawn fleet - that has been achieved and the Commission was convinced by our arguments, which were supported by strong science that clearly demonstrated that the stock is in excellent health and the current management arrangements were effective.

"The Commission had proposed a 19% cut because it had concerns about a small component of the stock in the Celtic Sea. But given the scientific evidence these concerns were unfounded and a quota cut was clearly not justified.

"On other stocks the Commission backtracked on its policy to impose 25% cuts for stocks that it regarded as "data poor".

"This policy was roundly criticised by many countries and the Commission forced to revise its proposals taking account of the available data.

"One of the stocks in this so called "data poor" category was Irish Sea Herring," she added.

"The Commission's proposal for a cut was contrary to the independent scientific advice which confirms that the stock is in very good condition. Regrettably, this TAC was cut by 9% and my aim was for a rollover or better. But this stock will undergo an in-depth review in February and I expect that this will further strengthen our negotiating position in future.

"Prior to Council I secured an important agreement with the local industry to use more selective gears. This will mean that the fleet will be exempt from the controls on the time they can spend fishing under the Cod Recovery Plan. It is absolutely crucial that our fleet has the time at sea that it needs to catch its prawn quota - it is also vital that more is done to help cod stocks recover.

"The Commission welcomed this development and there is no doubt that this strengthened our negotiating position.

"It also meant that the Commission was able to revise its proposal for Irish Sea cod where no cod could be caught to a 25% cut in the current quota which is in line with the Cod Plan."

(BMcC)