The Honorable Tom Hedderson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Newfoundland compared the cod moratorium off the grand banks and the supplementary crab fishery with future fishery management in Ireland.
Richard Bates, of DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, European Commission and also a native of Kilmore Quay then discussed Fishery development in Ireland and the EU, outlining the structure and operation of the Commission and funding opportunities for the fishing industry.
Janice Ryan of the Newfoundland Fisheries Stewardship Program provided an insight into the stewardship of the fishery resource in Newfoundland, including engagement with all ages from schools to community associations. Kevin McGrath, a Newfoundland inshore fish harvester and an Inshore Council Member of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers provided a colourful insight into the fishing industry in Newfoundland along with the an illustration of the severe winter conditions endured: hurricanes, ice bergs, snow drifts.
Photo-
Front row: John Nunn, County Wexford Partnership, Janice Ryan, Newfoundland Fisheries Stewardship Programme, Honorable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism and Recreation, Newfoundland, Mary O’Halloran, Failte Ireland, Phil Keeling, Wexford Tourism
Back row: Billy Murphy, County Wexford Partnership, Joe Maddock, Irish Fishermens’ Association, Richard Bates, DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, European Commission, John Hickey, BIM, John Power, Kilmore Quay, Michael Walsh, Kilmore Quay, Senan Cooke, Dunhill, Kevin McGrath, Newfoundland, Hugh Maguire, Wexford County Council, Captain Phil Murphy, Kilmore Quay Harbour Master, Willie Gleeson, Chairman, County Wexford Partnership.
Dr Paul Connolly, Marine Institute, John Hickey, BIM and Roy Fleming, Irish Loop, Newfoundland facilitated the fisheries workshop, discussing the challenges facing fisheries management including the dynamics of the global marketplace, stewardship of the resource, policies, quotas and seasonal trends.
The workshop identified stock assessment as an overall issue with inconsistent cooperation between industry and science identified as a barrier to progression. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea was seen to be evaluating stock and applying a fair process although in both Newfoundland and Ireland, it seems that initial precautionary scientific advice does not seem to be applied in measures until conservation is under great threat. Since Fisheries & Oceans Canada advanced fisheries management in the 1970’s, the fisheries resource and regional politics is not as much an issue an in the EU where the Treaty of Rome allocated the fishing commons in 1957. The Newfoundland marine areas are zoned by distance from the shore and according to
boat size (<65’ inshore, mobile gear >65’) and in Ireland the categorisation of boats by licence is helping to shape the fishing sector. The Stewardship programme in Newfoundland encourages participation by fishermen and further engagement with fishermen would result in better stock management and less waste.
Alignment of the Irish fleet and quotas needs to consider everyone involved in the fishing sector including crew and to facilitate economic alternatives for those decommissioned. Ireland and the UK have not availed of the EU fund for compensation of crew: Article 12 part B, Public aid for fishing activity. Social scheme entitlements need expansion within the fishing sector and health and safety investment considered. The voluntary Inshore Council’s formal structure has equal representation across the fishing industry and staff members are linked to regional areas to liaise with the Inshore Council. It seems that fishermen need to focus on one representative voice to contribute to fisheries restructuring and to input into policy and process development.
Photo- (attending exhibition stands) –
Front row: Captain Phil Murphy, Kilmore Quay Harbour Office, Mary O’Halloran, Failte Ireland, Phil Keeling, Wexford Tourism Richard Bates, DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, European Commission
Back row: Michael Farnham & Liam Boland, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, John Hickey, BIM, John Dimond, New Ross Marina, Jim Moore, Kilmore Quay Development Association, Tomas Ryan, Wexford Campus, IT Carlow, Hugh Maguire, Wexford County Council.
Meanwhile the first community workshop on town planning and harbour development highlighted successes and focussed on community needs and how to attract a wider user base. Areas in the marine sector identified for further development included: infrastructure, services, facilities, retail and hospitality, marinas, water based tourism, private/public partnership, town plans, planning/regulation, mixed use facilities, mediation and expertise. Harold Mullowney, Irish Loop, Newfoundland facilitated the identification of necessary services: water,
fuel, communication, transport, local infrastructure, post office, bank, retail, resources, self sustaining, affordable housing and labour force. The workshop also discussed marketing local produce through local branding and added value, developing community enterprises and cooperatives. Diversification opportunities are well developed in Newfoundland and the following suggestions were made: kayaking, zodiac tour bus, health and safety – education, jet ski’s, powerboat, a Kilmore product (food/leisure), environmental education (interpretation, eco tourism, coastal path, trail development), harbour facilities, angling/diving centre, marina
development and maritime connections.
