IRISH FISHING LEADER – BREXIT OUTCOME A MAJOR FEAR

Irish fishing leader – Brexit outcome a major fear. Following this week’s EU Fish Council talks to set catching opportunity for 2020, the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) says a potentially devastating storm looms with the long- term future of the Irish industry very much in the balance as the UK and EU negotiating teams assess and mould Britain’s exit plan from the EU.

Sean O’Donoghue of the KFO said:

“A no-deal Brexit really cannot be what people want but it still is a possibility on 1st January 2021. The situation would be uncontrollable with almost 3,000 kilometers of a ‘water border’ to be policed and the potentially devastating consequences for fleets which would have to be tied up.

“Ultimately, it would be the death knell for many coastal fishing communities, with the demise of the Irish seafood sector to the tune of between 30% and 50% and projected job losses of between 30% and 40% in the fishing industry here. The reliance we have on UK waters for species such as mackerel (60%) and nephrops (40%) is staggering, these are two main money “spenders” for the industry. It’s very hard to get one’s head around the fact that waters, to which we have enjoyed access, could be out of bounds on 1st January 2021 with no physical wall nor barrier in place.”

“It is imperative that no stone is left unturned to protect the Irish seafood sector in the future   trade negotiations which, last year alone, was valued at €1.25billion, employing more than   14,300 people predominantly in rural, coastal locations. Michel Barnier and Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan will play key roles, along with our Government, to negotiate the retention of the close linkage between fisheries and the wider trade relationship in order to maintain existing access to fishing waters and existing resource allocations. This linkage is absolutely critical.”

“Whereas fish are mobile and know no borders nor bear any nationality, our trawlers don’t have this luxury and must obey boundaries and exclusion zones. We must do absolutely everything in our power to deliver a reasonable solution in terms of access to waters and resources thereby avoiding a ‘no-deal’ Brexit and the ramifications which this would have for our sector,” concluded Mr O’Donoghue.