Fishermen are not the enemies of sustainability - Allister
01 June 2009
Jim Allister has pledged to defend the interests of our fishing industry.
Mr Allister said the EU Common Fisheries Policy has abjectly failed.
“It is supposed to deliver both sustainable stocks and economic prosperity for the sector. It has done neither. Rather, our industry has spiraled into decline under its stewardship, reduced often to 3 days fishing per week. It is hard to imagine a more unsuitable management tool in a mixed fishery than quotas, which is the prime control instrument of the CFP.
“Its mechanism of top down, over-regulation and multi-layered micro-management from Brussels, has been disastrous. It is hard to find a sector where stakeholders feel more disconnected and alienated, or where there is a greater sense of inequity.
“In 2009 we stand at a critical juncture. Review and reform of the CFP is being embarked upon, with a new Green Paper from the Commission out for consultation.
“It is vital that Northern Ireland's interests are vigorously pursued. There is an opportunity to somewhat ameliorate the folly of surrendering control over our fishing industry to Brussels, by shaping the change to best suit our needs. With my experience on the Fisheries Committee and knowledge of the industry, I believe I am well placed Jim Allister to protect our vital interests.
“I believe root and branch change is required, but equally a change of mindset is essential. Fishermen are not the enemies of sustainability. On the contrary, they have the greatest vested interest in maintaining sustainable fisheries. Thus, they must be engaged, not excluded, in sustainable management.
“Reward for complete record-keeping, with catch allocations, not landing allocations and the capacity to pool, swap and trade allocations between vessels, would all contribute to locally administered management capable of providing the results on sustainability and economic reward, which the CFP has lamentably failed to deliver.
“The new Cod Recovery Plan, agreed by the Council of Ministers in December 2008, is hopelessly flawed. In particular, the 25% cut in days at sea is wholly arbitrary, being neither based on science nor negotiated with the industry. It severely threatens the viability of an already stretched sector. It requires renegotiation, particularly if the cuts in days at sea prevents allocated Quotas from being caught.”
