MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on the fishing vessel owned by Ronan and Gerard Sheehy out of Baltimore in West Cork
MEP warns of the impacts on our coastal towns if we do not act now
Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has pledged to escalate her campaign to protect Ireland’s fishing industry following what she described as a frank and constructive public meeting with the fishing community in Castletownbere last week.
The meeting, held at Berehaven Golf Club, brought together local fishing representatives alongside Irish and EU officials to discuss the future of a sector that supports up to 17,000 jobs in coastal communities.
The focus of the meeting was on engaging and communicating the critical and urgent challenges facing our coastal communities, especially in the southwest of Ireland.
Strong Sentiment from the Room
Ní Mhurchú said the strength of feeling in the room was unmistakable.
“Members of the fishing community were clearly appreciative of the honest, open, and listening ear afforded to them. There was very frank engagement about the fact that our fishing industry will be reduced by one third in the space of a year. That will impact everyone on the seafood value chain from catching, to processing to service industries – all of whom create thousands of jobs in our coastal communities.”
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She continued:
“Many feel they have been ignored for far too long, and morale is understandably very low given the severe blows fishing communities have suffered in recent years, months and particularly weeks.”
“Without urgent reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, Ireland will not be able to sustain its current fishing fleet. Capacity simply cannot remain in balance without severe cuts to fishing opportunities. This is another devastating blow to some of the most rural communities in one of Europe’s smallest member states, Ireland. Despite being surrounded by the sea, Ireland now has access to just 15% of the fish in what were once Europe’s most productive waters.”
Pushing for Political Action
The MEP said the meeting must mark the beginning, not the end, of renewed political focus.
“We need to build on this meeting. I intend to write to — and thereafter meet with — Commissioner Costas Kadis, Minister Timmy Dooley, Director Fabrizio Donatella of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Carmen Crespo Díaz, Chair of the European Parliament’s PECH Committee.”
Building Alliances for a CFP Review
Ní Mhurchú reiterated her warning that the Irish fleet continues to face existential pressure, noting again that foreign fleets catch most fish in Irish waters while the domestic fleet has sharply declined over two decades.
She said the next phase of a campaign must focus on coalition-building at both national and EU level.
“At this crucial time, we must build alliances, momentum and a concerted campaign as part of the EU Fisheries Work Programme. I am calling on Irish MEPs, stakeholders across the fishing industry and the Irish Government to work together towards securing a full review of the Common Fisheries Policy. We will be more effective if we work together with one united voice”
Ní Mhurchú said she will continue engaging directly with coastal communities in the months ahead.