The Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA) has called on the European Union to
adopt a “One Norway approach to fisheries negotiations “, the call comes is in light of the continued
reckless overfishing of shared mackerel stocks by them and other non-compliant coastal states. 2025
scientific advice is recommending a 22% cut in mackerel quotas, a cut that will cost the Irish fishing
sector approximately €18 million, unless coastal states start acting responsibly there is a real
prospect the mackerel could be facing a zero TAC within 2 years.
Mackerel is one of Ireland’s most valuable species for production and processing, it is the
cornerstone of the entire pelagic sector, and post Brexit this sector has been struggling to adjust to
the 25% loss in value of quota transfers to the United Kingdom.
Over the past number of years, the European Union has failed miserably in defending the Member
States that depend on this stock, the passive approach taken by the EU in facilitating Norway in their
overfishing has led us to the position where mackerel stocks are crashing.
The EU Commission needs to adopt a “holistic negotiations approach”, whereby any access to Irish –
EU Waters depends on Norway reducing their overfishing of mackerel. It is no longer creditable that
Norway be permitted to fish over 200,000 mt of blue whiting west of Ireland, while at the very same
time Norway – have totally undermined and destroyed the mackerel fishery of numerous Member
States of the European Union.
The EU needs to defend the Irish fishing interests and do so without hesitation, the Irish fishing
grounds are no longer a soft tradable commodity for all of Europe.
There is only “one Norway “, and until the EU outwardly demonstrates resolve and determination
against the rogue practices of this third country and likewise to all others that engage in similar
unsustainable fishing practices – we will not return to healthy mackerel stocks, the longer this is
permitted to continue the worse the state of mackerel stocks will ultimately end up in.
Within the EU, all member states need to realise the existential threat this poses and show complete
solidarity in tackling such destructive fishing practices, the United Kingdom likewise is aiding and
abetting these coastal states by permitting fishing of these inflated quotas in their waters.
Be under no illusion, while it is mackerel stocks at present that is under sustained attack left
unchallenged by the EU it can be any stock thereafter – rogue practices never change unless they are
forced to do so.
The entire Irish fishing industry is united in our approach in challenging and calling out this
decimation of a stock, we seek the support of the European Union and our EU Commission in dealing
with this crisis, so that all Member States and coastal states can fish sustainably into the future.
Unilateralism, bilateralism or even trilateral agreements cannot replace a comprehensive sharing
arrangement, based on fact as opposed to greed concluded Brendan Byrne.
Recent Comments