Three Killybegs-based fishing organisations have joined a five-strong grouping to demand change at national and EU level.
The fishing industry is still reeling from the hammer blow dealt by Brexit on top of the Common fisheries policy (CFP) and they say their collaboration creates a united front for liaising with the Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue and his Department.
The organisations in the formalised relationship are the Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WPO), the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation (IS&EPO), and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA).
Aodh O Donnell CEO of the IFPO, Brendan Byrne CEO of the IFPEA, Dominic Rihan, CEO of the KFO, John Lynch CEO of the IS&EPO and Patrick Murphy CEO of the IS&WPO
Dominic Rihan, CEO of the KFO describes this as a “a first step in a fast-track process towards a more focused and coherent united approach”. He said this was “to best represent our membership at both catching and onshore processing segments. We want to develop a national perspective and map a sustainable future for the sector that supports our coastal communities.”
Aodh O Donnell CEO of the IFPO supports the need for the initiative to collaborate: “The situation is changing rapidly. We each have a responsibility to mediate, and to deliver better outcomes on a shared basis for our sector that is at a critical juncture. The work plan we agreed prioritises the re-establishing of an effective liaison process with the Marine Minister and his Department officials.”
Brendan Byrne CEO of the IFPEA, also based in Killybegs, says his organisation is supportive of this move to develop appropriate collaborative strategies. “Having a road map is useful to move forward. A key outcome is a consensus agreement on the challenges we face in post Brexit and the need to radically reform the Common Fisheries Policy. The support of the Minister and his team will be key to developing a strategic approach.”
Improved, effective engagement with the Minister and the EU at policy level is a starting point in our aligned work plan, says Patrick Murphy CEO of the IS&WPO. “We have been very adversely hit by external factors such as Brexit and the reduction in quotas in recent years,” Murphy said.