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19/11/2008
EC Cod Recovery Plan Will Hit NI Hard
As the European Fisheries Council agreed unanimously to a revised cod recovery plan to protect cod stocks today, Conor Murphy MP - who represented party colleague, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew - at the discussions expressed his real concern at the reductions in fishing quotas and how it will affect the local fleet.
He was frustrated over a complete lack of movement on a plan to cut catches by a full quarter.
He said: "This was an extremely difficult negotiation given the European Commission's determination to conserve cod stocks and on the issue of reducing fishing effort by 25% it showed no flexibility.
"I strongly opposed this stance which I regarded as unacceptable to the local fleet," he said, but had to accept that the Commission would not move on this figure.
"It formed part of the overall package which was agreed unanimously by all 27 member states at the Council," he said.
The only movement was on the 'baseline' to be used to measure fishing effort and on the ability to grant extra effort to vessels which follow cod avoidance plans.
The Minister therefore stressed that: "It will be important for officials and the industry to work together and consider carefully the new arrangement and to establish what opportunities there are to take full advantage of the flexibilities in the agreement."
This time last year, while major quota cuts proposed for fishermen were less than originally proposed, the number of days they could spend on the Irish Sea were reduced.
Last December, the Government announced the results after extended meetings between the NI Assembly's Fisheries Minister Michelle Gildernew and EU commissioners with whom she conducted intensive all-night talks.
At that time, an anticipated 25% cut of the cod quota was reduced to 18%, while the number of haddock the Northern Ireland fleet could catch increased by 5% when a 15% reduction was expected.
The number of days NI-based trawlers could be at sea, which was due to be cut by 25% across the fleet, was also less than anticipated, reduced by only 10% for the prawn fleet and some 18% for the small white-fish fleet.
This year though, the news is less positive for the indigenous fishing industry.
See: EC Cuts On NI Fishing Catch Less Than Expected
(BMcC)
He was frustrated over a complete lack of movement on a plan to cut catches by a full quarter.
He said: "This was an extremely difficult negotiation given the European Commission's determination to conserve cod stocks and on the issue of reducing fishing effort by 25% it showed no flexibility.
"I strongly opposed this stance which I regarded as unacceptable to the local fleet," he said, but had to accept that the Commission would not move on this figure.
"It formed part of the overall package which was agreed unanimously by all 27 member states at the Council," he said.
The only movement was on the 'baseline' to be used to measure fishing effort and on the ability to grant extra effort to vessels which follow cod avoidance plans.
The Minister therefore stressed that: "It will be important for officials and the industry to work together and consider carefully the new arrangement and to establish what opportunities there are to take full advantage of the flexibilities in the agreement."
This time last year, while major quota cuts proposed for fishermen were less than originally proposed, the number of days they could spend on the Irish Sea were reduced.
Last December, the Government announced the results after extended meetings between the NI Assembly's Fisheries Minister Michelle Gildernew and EU commissioners with whom she conducted intensive all-night talks.
At that time, an anticipated 25% cut of the cod quota was reduced to 18%, while the number of haddock the Northern Ireland fleet could catch increased by 5% when a 15% reduction was expected.
The number of days NI-based trawlers could be at sea, which was due to be cut by 25% across the fleet, was also less than anticipated, reduced by only 10% for the prawn fleet and some 18% for the small white-fish fleet.
This year though, the news is less positive for the indigenous fishing industry.
See: EC Cuts On NI Fishing Catch Less Than Expected
(BMcC)
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19 December 2011
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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.
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.
16 December 2002
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".
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".
28 October 2002
Former Agriculture minister hits out at possible Irish Sea cod ban
Former Minister of Agriculture Brid Rodgers has reacted angrily to news that European ministers are considering banning cod fishing in the Irish Sea. Mrs Rodgers said the proposals would have a devastating effect on the fishing industry in Northern Ireland if it gets the go-ahead in December.
Former Agriculture minister hits out at possible Irish Sea cod ban
Former Minister of Agriculture Brid Rodgers has reacted angrily to news that European ministers are considering banning cod fishing in the Irish Sea. Mrs Rodgers said the proposals would have a devastating effect on the fishing industry in Northern Ireland if it gets the go-ahead in December.
15 November 2002
Pearson pledges to defend fishing interests
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Pearson pledges to defend fishing interests
Direct rule agriculture minister Ian Pearson has told representatives of the Northern Ireland fishing industry that he "will work tirelessly" to defend the north's interests in EC negotiations.
25 October 2002
NI fishing industry could collapse if European ban gets go-ahead
Over 2,000 jobs could go within the Northern Ireland fishing industry if cod fishing is banned in the Irish Sea. This was the stark message sent out by Dick James of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation to decision-makers. European scientists claim stocks need to be preserved because they are close to collapse.
NI fishing industry could collapse if European ban gets go-ahead
Over 2,000 jobs could go within the Northern Ireland fishing industry if cod fishing is banned in the Irish Sea. This was the stark message sent out by Dick James of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation to decision-makers. European scientists claim stocks need to be preserved because they are close to collapse.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
