Fishing industry must be sustained says McGrady

As EU ministers sat down in Brussels today to begin the latest round of negotiations over fish quotas allocation, South Down MP Eddie McGrady called for greater protection for the local industry in the face of "further drastic cuts".

The SDLP representative said that local fishermen have had to suffer cuts, temporary closures and restrictions which had seriously effected the viability of the industry.

"I believe that local fishermen have already done more than their counterparts in other parts of these isles in terms of conservation, and for the good of the industry as a whole," he said.

"These efforts need to be recognised by EU Commission, and reflected in equitable fish quota allocations at the conclusion of negotiations in next week."

Mr O'Grady went on to say that the suspension of the Stormont assembly could potentially weaken the hand of local fishermen at the negotiating table.

Ahead of today's meeting in Brussels, the Westminster Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley said he wanted to find "a way forward that will enable today's fishermen to continue to earn a living while avoiding collapse of the stocks on which they depend".

He also voiced concerns that the Commission's objectives did not take account of conservation measures, like larger mesh sizes in nets, introduced by UK fishermen in the last two years.

"I entirely accept that we must take further action to recover these stocks," said Mr Morley. "Indeed, we have known for some time that the level of fishing effort was unsustainable. That is why the government has been working with our fishermen for the past few years, taking tough decisions and introducing conservation measures in line with sound scientific advice.

"But I am alarmed by proposals which would in effect cut fishing effort for cod, whiting and haddock by as much as 80% - that is going too far and doesn't appear to take into account the work the UK has already done to address problems of declining stocks."

In October, the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation said that around 2,000 jobs could go within the Northern Ireland fishing industry if cod fishing is banned in the Irish Sea.

The agency said that 15 boats could be left out of the current fleet of 250 in Co Down if European scientists have their way in banning cod fishing in the Irish Sea.

According to government statistics, in the year 2001 some 738 thousand tonnes of sea fish were landed into the UK and abroad by the UK fleet with a total value of £574 million – the UK also exported fish and fish products to the value of £700 million.

The UK has a substantial fish processing industry of around 550 businesses which employ some 22,000 people.

(GMcG)