Vital week for Fishing Industry
18 December 2006
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“This is a vital week for our local fishing industry. The Fisheries Council meets in Brussels to seek the permissible catches and quotas for 2007. Following the debacle of last year, with Lord Rooker failing to attend, it is good this year to have the assurance that David Cairns MP will be there.
Again, we are likely to face another supposedly temporary Irish Sea closure under the Cod recovery Scheme – for the 8th successive year, and Commission proposals to cut both Quota and Days at Sea. The Cod Recovery Scheme continues to fail, yet it is persisted with, with no regard to its devastating social and economic consequences. Again the scientists blindly demand more cuts and the Commission in its proposals show themselves incapable of independent thinking. Thus the annual battle between the fishing nations and the Commission looms.
With nephrops (prawns) having become the mainstay of the Northern Ireland industry, the outcome in respect of this Quota is of paramount concern. I greatly welcome the fact that a significant increase in the Nephrops quota is a top UK priority this year. The latest scientific advice shows an increase in the Irish Sea nephrops quota would be biologically sustainable. Now, it must be secured by hard and determined negotiations. There is also justification for an increase in our plaice quota and the line must be held to avoid further cuts in cod, haddock and whiting. With very substantial achievement in effort reduction in our whitefish sector, there is a strong basis upon which to defend our position.
I shall, of course, be in Brussels this week to lobby on behalf of our local industry and trust with an NIO Minister present and showing interest in fighting our corner, we will have a better outcome than previously.”
