Sinn Féin Fisheries and Seafood Survey highlights systemic crisis in the Irish fishing and seafood industry – Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD and Conor D. McGuinness TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Conor McGuinness TD, have today published the results of Sinn Féin’s comprehensive Fisheries and Seafood survey.
The survey results highlight the severe challenges and systemic crisis facing the industry, with respondents underlining a sector in distress, facing mounting economic pressures, regulatory challenges, and a sense of neglect from both the Irish government and European Union.
Speaking at the launch of the survey results in Dublin, Teachta Mac Lochlainn TD said:
“The key objective of the survey was to give people an opportunity to provide their firm views on the government and state authorities’ support for the industry, the current state of the industry, and hopes for the future of the industry, amongst other things. “What we can see clearly from these results is that the Irish fishing and seafood industry is being severely neglected. It is under-supported, undervalued, and faces a systemic crisis that demands immediate attention from the government.
“We had the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the UN Oceans Conference in Nice this week outlining Ireland’s ambition to lead global maritime policy. He added that, ‘as an island nation, Ireland is blessed with some of the world’s finest marine resources, providing jobs, energy, food, and respite and pleasure for citizens and tourists alike’.
“The testimonies of those who responded to our survey tell a very different story to the rosy picture painted by Micheál Martin, and the apparent commitment from his government to this industry flies in the face of the lived realities of fishing communities. “Numerous respondents to our survey shared their personal and family stories, highlighting inter-generational commitment to the fishing and seafood industry, severe mental health impacts, economic strain, but crucially their frustration at what they believe to be government and state neglect.
“Respondents overwhelmingly emphasised the urgent need for reform in fisheries management and regulation, quota allocation, and improved advocacy at the national and European levels. Without a radical reset in government policy and immediate actions, there is a consensus that the Irish fishing and seafood industry faces existential threats”.“The Irish fishing communities have waited long enough. What they are asking for is not charity, it’s fairness, respect, and a future.
“We need a government with the necessary ambition and passion for our coastal communities. A government that will unite the entire Irish fishing and seafood industry and join them in the fight for a fair share of the fish in our waters.”
Key Findings:
Future Viability and Industry Outlook
90.6% of respondents are extremely worried about their livelihood and the future of Irish fishing,
with 38% indicating they were unlikely to be fishing in 10 years, and 25% ‘not very likely.’
88% reported they would not encourage their children to continue the family tradition in fishing and
pursue a career in the fishing industry.
State of the Irish Fishing Industry
92.9% of respondents believe that the Irish fishing industry is in a worse state compared to 10 years
ago with NONE (0%) considering it to be in a significantly better position.
86.2% consider the Irish fishing industry is treated unfairly by the Irish and European fishing
authorities.
Engagement with Authorities
63.5% described the Department of Marine’s engagement with the industry as inadequate or not
engaging at all, and 30.8% described it as not very engaging.
88.8% of respondents believe that the work of the former Minister for Marine and his Department,
within the European Union to defend Ireland’s fishing interests was not effective at all.
38% consider the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) as not comfortable at all to engage with.
39% described the current relationship between Irish fishermen and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) as
‘not very good’ with 33% described it as ‘not good at all.’
Fairness and Quotas
88.2% respondents expressed concerns that the European fishing quotas and Total Allowable
Catches are unfair to the Irish fishing industry.
95.5% do not believe that foreign vessels are monitored and controlled in a similar fashion to our
Irish vessels while fishing in Irish Waters.
Brexit Impact
72.5% stated that Brexit extremely badly affected the Irish fishing industry, with 45% believing that
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding made no impact at all.
Financial Support and Sustainability
31.9% indicated that there are no quickly accessible financial supports at all for the Irish inshore
fishing sector when unexpected situations like weather events, market volatility, increased fuel
prices, international conflicts etc, with 32.6% indicted that there are not enough supports. Only
0.5% of respondents stated that there are more than enough supports.
91% agreed that current financial supports are insufficient during crises such as fuel price hikes or
market volatility.
78.5% reported that it is extremely hard to make a living in the Irish Fishing industry in 2024.
Teachta McGuinness said:
“The state must finally give coastal communities the voice they deserve, and put an end to decades of neglect, mismanagement and policy failure in the fishing and maritime sector.
“The stories shared in the Sinn Féin Fisheries and Seafood Survey are heartbreaking. They speak to the deep frustration and fear that now defines this once thriving industry. “We need an ambitious and assertive national marine policy. That means fairer quota allocations, upgraded harbour infrastructure, real investment in seafood processing, and a strategy that includes, not excludes, coastal and island communities in the shift to offshore renewables.
“We commend our fishing and seafood industry leaders on their campaigning that has led to a dedicated Minister for Fisheries and the re-establishment of a dedicated Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs after many years without one.“Sinn Féin will chair this important committee. Working with other TDs and Senators on a cross-party basis, this can be the start of a reset for our industry both in Ireland and in Europe.”
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