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EU, Norway and Faroes agree 20% cut in mackerel for 2019           KFO highly critical of scientific advice provided

11/29/2018

 
​The EU, Norway and Faroes have today signed a tripartite agreement in Bergen, Norway setting the TAC for mackerel for 2019 at 653,438 tonnes a 20% reduction on this year’s TAC. The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) is very disappointed, but not surprised, at the outcome given that the scientific advice issued at the end of September was recommending a much larger reduction of 61%. The KFO is highly critical of the scientific advice which is not only calling for massive 61% reduction but is also stating that the stock is in decline since 2011. One positive outcome from the agreement is that the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has agreed to carry out a re-evaluation of the mackerel advice in early 2019.
Reacting on the conclusion of discussions in Bergen, KFO CEO, Seán O’Donoghue commented:
“I am obviously very disappointed with the reduction but under the circumstances given the large reduction of 61 % advised by ICES, the hands of the three parties were tied into a reduction. ~At least, they decided on a common-sense approach to take the reduction over a two year period. I am very confident the second part of reduction will not be required as the scientific advice is not correct. I look forward to the outcome of re-evaluation by ICES in early 2019 which I expect will confirm the industry view that there is a still a very healthy mackerel stock in the North East Atlantic. This has been evidenced, not only by the Irish pelagic fleet but also all other pelagic fleets which have encountered large shoals of mackerel over the entire distribution area. Based upon these observations, we believe the stock size has greatly increased. This increase in the stock size is not confined to one area, nor observed by only one fleet. This is contrary to ICES stated view that the stock is declining since 2011.”
He added: “This is yet another major mistake in the mackerel advice not to mention the mistakes made last year and again this year on Atlanto Scandia herring. I am very concerned that ICES does not have a fit-for-purpose quality assurance system in place. This must be addressed as matter of urgency. There have been far too many mistakes over the last number of years and it is undermining confidence in the scientific advice.”
He concluded: “This is the final year of the 2014 Three Parties Agreement (EU, Norway and Faroes) and the three parties have agreed to extend the agreement for a further two years.”
 
ENDS
Further information:
Seán O’Donoghue
087 419 6535

Fisheries sector encouraged by latest UK-EU declaration

11/22/2018

 
Brexit declaration specifically references fishing industry

​The Chief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has welcomed today’s Brexit declaration as having achieved specific acknowledgment and reference to the crucial issue of the linkage between access and quotas to the wider trade issue.
Responding to the 36-page draft text, which is part of a package alongside the legal treaty on Britain's withdrawal from the EU, KFO CEO, Seán O’Donoghue said: “I have always maintained that the key to a successful fisheries outcome is linking access and quota share to the wider trade negotiations”.
Paragraph 75 of the text states: “Within the context of the overall economic partnership the Parties should establish a new fisheries agreement on, inter alia, access to waters and quota shares.” A new EU-UK agreement on fisheries would form part of the overall new relationship between the two. The sides aim to "conclude and ratify their new fisheries agreement by 1 July 2020".
Building on the momentum of last week’s publication of the draft withdrawal agreement and outline political declaration, the Irish fishing industry is currently relatively well-placed to avoid a disastrous hard Brexit.
“While we are quite encouraged by the documents we have seen to date, I said last week that strong foundations have now been laid, we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball. We’ve begun well but we’re not even at half-time yet. We know only too well from experience that fisheries negotiations are multi-faceted and highly complex and much remains to be agreed.
“We firmly believe that the future framework for fisheries, after the transition period, needs to maintain the current levels of reciprocal access to waters and markets, as well as sound science-based fisheries management. The text presented to date takes the first steps to deliver on this and we look forward to productive negotiations in the near future.
“Ireland’s two biggest fisheries, mackerel (60%) and nephrops (40%) (or prawns) are hugely dependent on access to UK waters with the overall dependency for all stocks of over 30%. Maintaining reciprocal access to waters and resources need to be at the heart of the post-Brexit relationship in fisheries given the historic ties and inextricable links between our countries and industries,” stated Mr O’Donoghue.
He paid tribute to the effectiveness of the united approach taken by the European Fisheries Alliance (EUFA) which was established less than two months after the British vote to protect the interests of fleets from national organisations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The alliance accounts for over 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels with an annual turnover €20.7 billion.
Mr O’Donoghue concluded by acknowledging that in terms of fisheries, these high-stakes negotiations have been very efficiently managed by the Irish Government to date, particularly the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister Michael Creed in tandem with EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier and their respective officials.
ENDS
Further information:
Seán O’Donoghue
087 419 6535

Positive early signs for Irish fisheries as British cabinet backs Brexit text

11/15/2018

 
Industry well placed to avoid a disastrous Brexit but a long way to go to deliver final agreement

The Irish fishing is well placed to avoid a disastrous hard Brexit with the publication of the draft withdrawal agreement and outline political declaration. The CEO of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, Seán O’Donoghue has welcomed the drafts as a positive first step.
Both the draft withdrawal agreement, which seals the terms under which Britain will exit the EU, as well as the outline political declaration reflect the key concerns articulated by the Irish fishing industry in the course of the marathon 29 month negotiations.
“We are quite encouraged by the text of both documents and recognise what is the culmination of a seismic job of work. In respect of fisheries, these high-stakes negotiations were very efficiently managed by the Irish Government, particularly the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister Michael Creed in tandem with EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier and their respective officials.
“Having fisheries referenced specifically in the draft withdrawal agreement – and maintaining the link to the wider trade sector in the political declaration - is a key ask from our perspective. We welcome progress made yesterday on the Brexit withdrawal agreement. This is a significant first step in defining our relations with an important neighbour and we hope that this constructive spirit will carry on into the next phase of negotiations.
“While strong foundations have now been laid, the construction of the building comes next and this will require the same level of focus, determination and concerted endeavour on the part of all relevant stakeholders to ensure an edifice that is fit-for-purpose. We know only too well from experience that fisheries negotiations are multi-faceted and highly complex and much remains to be agreed.
“We firmly believe that the future framework for fisheries, after the transition period, needs to maintain the current levels of reciprocal access to waters and markets, as well as sound science-based fisheries management. The text presented on the table takes the first steps to deliver on this and we look forward to productive negotiations in the near future.
“Yesterday the Taoiseach reiterated remarks he made previously relating to the Irish fisheries sector which we have always agreed with. Aside from recognising the importance of access to UK waters, he commented on the importance of the UK selling its fish to the EU. He also stated: ‘The UK will want other things as well, for example, with regard to financial services. All these matters are interlinked and will be part of the future relationship and while the UK might have a strong hand when it comes to fisheries we have a strong hand when it comes to services and other matters too.’”
Ireland’s two biggest fisheries, mackerel (60%) and nephrops (40%) (or prawns) are hugely dependent on access to UK waters with the overall dependency for all stocks of over 30%. Maintaining reciprocal access to waters and resources need to be at the heart of the post-Brexit relationship in fisheries given the historic ties and inextricable links between our countries and industries.
Mr O’Donoghue concluded by acknowledging the effectiveness of the united approach taken by the European Fisheries Alliance (EUFA) which was established less than two months after the British vote to protect the interests of fleets from national organisations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The alliance accounts for over 18,000 fishermen and 3,500 vessels with an annual turnover €20.7 billion.
ENDS
Further information:
Seán O’Donoghue
087 419 6535

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