Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to be here today to mark this, the opening of the 2007 Irish Skipper – Inshore Fisheries Expo.
Firstly, may I congratulate Hugh Bonner and the staff of “The Irish Skipper” on their foresight in conceiving this event which has become an annual fixture in the fisherman’s calendar. I would also like to thank event sponsors, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Allied Irish Banks for their ongoing support.
The continued success and high attendances at this annual event highlights the size and vitality of the inshore sector and its critical importance to our coastal communities.
I am pleased to announce that details of the Salmon Hardship Scheme are being published today advising licence holders of the means of application to obtain payment.
The scheme has been put in place on foot of the significant changes to the management of the wild salmon fishery for 2007. The establishment of a fund by Government of some €30 million is to provide a measure of relief towards any hardship that may result for commercial salmon fishermen at sea.
While the closing date for applications is set for 30th March, I have instructed that the date by which licence holders must accept an offer from the scheme be extended to the end of the year.
The scheme will be advertised in the national media. A booklet detailing the scheme and including an application form will also be sent to all those who held commercial salmon fishing licences in 2006.
Details of the scheme are also available from the BIM stand at this event.
I hope in the near future to be able to announce, along with my colleague Minister Eamon O’Cúiv, details of the Community Support Scheme, which will be available to coastal and rural communities most effected by the changed salmon fishing regime.
It is proposed to introduce a new Control of Fishing for Salmon Order to provide an opportunity for fishermen who do not avail of the hardship fund to apply for licences in areas that are open for fishing in 2007. Essentially, where a draft-net, or snap-net, or loop-net fisherman, in a district that has a surplus, takes the hardship fund then their licence will be made available to applicants who previously held a drift-net licence.
As well as launching the Salmon Hardship Fund it is also my very great pleasure to be here today to share in your annual exhibition of and celebration in the Inshore Sector achievements. Today we acknowledge you the Skippers, Crews and Vessel owners who make such a unique and significant contribution to the social and economic fabric of both the major fishing ports and the 800-plus small harbours and piers dotted around our coast.
The BIM’s Inshore Fisheries Report, 1999, represents the milestone in facilitating a much needed structural review of the management of this hugely important Sector.
The Report identified that the Inshore Sector represents some 50% of all employment in the Irish fishing industry and acknowledged the unique contribution the Inshore Sector makes to the viability of our coastal communities.
I am pleased to say that since the publication of the report significant progress has been made on the issues identified as crucial to the future of the sector including-
- The modernisation of the fleet
- Fleet licensing and registration
- Inshore Stock Assessment and research
- Management Policy.
In particular modernisation of the fleet has been achieved by the assistance of EU supported measures.
The latter three issues regarding licensing, stock assessment and management policies are essential to the future sustainability of our inshore fisheries. While progressing apace these issues are complex and require your continued commitment and goodwill in an effort to achieve our goal of securing the viability of the sector going forward.
The ‘Scheme for the Licensing of Traditional Pot Fishing Boats in the Irish Inshore Sector’ is now nearing completion and when completed some 500 inshore vessels will have been regularised and brought into the licensing and registration system.
In addition, the recommendations made by Pádraig White on the segmentation of the Irish Fishing Fleet post decommissioning have been implemented.
Resource assessments, essential to making informed decisions on the future management of our inshore stocks, are now in place for the brown crab, lobster and scallop fisheries. These assessments present a clear and detailed picture of the fishery around our coast.
It is evident that an enormous amount of work goes towards the production of these assessments. Input by the Inshore Sector in the gathering of the necessary information has been invaluable. Your co-operation in this regard is to be applauded. However, as you are aware, good information is the key to meaningful management and I would exhort all fishermen to assist, wherever possible, the scientists in compiling reliable data.
In many respects your Sector leads the way in tackling the complex issues that management frameworks present. Two years ago the ‘Shellfish Management Framework’ was launched at this event and I understand that in the intervening period many strides have been made in moving the Framework forward where difficult and complex realities have to be addressed.
Over the course of the past year both the Lobster and Crab Species Advisory Groups have worked extremely hard to develop comprehensive management plans.
The complexity of regulation in the fishing sector requires that issues of sector management be given thorough consideration. In this regard I ask for your continued commitment to, and patience with, a process which must appear, at times, protracted. I thank you all for your time and deliberations to date and wish you continued success into the future. I am sure that the inclusive approach you have adopted, where you work in partnership with my Department Officials, BIM personnel and Stakeholders, will result in the optimum resolution you deserve.
As articulated in the Shellfish Management Framework once the Management Plans have been finalised they will be circulated to all concerned as part of the consultation process. The views of the wider fishing sector will also be sought.
In this regard the publication of the report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group, ‘Steering a New Course’ is even more timely. I acknowledge the work required in producing such a thorough and comprehensive document. Given the scope of the challenge that Minister Dempsey and I set for the Group, I am delighted that they have brought forward such a meaningful report within such a tight timeframe. The quality of their analysis is impressive and the recommendations set out a focused roadmap for the entire sector.
The fruits of their deliberations are before us here today. Their report and its’ recommendations have been accepted by Government and funding has been allocated to bring about the recommended changes in the recently launched National Development Plan.
The financial package recommended by the Report is significant and is evidence of this Government’s continued commitment to coastal communities and the Irish seafood industry.
I think there is a great opportunity now for a new impetus in the Irish seafood industry. The publication of this report, with its suite of integrated recommendations, covering the entire industry from the market and consumer right through to the processor, fishermen and fish farmers, offers us a blueprint for a promising future based on strong socio-economic principals.
I am convinced that the work we have all been doing over the last number of years has effectively put in place some of the most difficult foundation stones for the future viability and sustainability of the sector.
As I mentioned previously the Inshore Sector has made a head start in this regard which is reflected in many of the Review Group’s recommendations dealing specifically with the Inshore Sector. One of the most important of which is the provision of enhanced support for the Shellfish Management Framework. I have moved quickly toward making this a reality by ensuring that two seats on the Implementation Group have been reserved for representatives of the Inshore Sector, where nominations will be sought from the Species Advisory Groups. This will ensure that going forward discussions on issues that will impact directly upon the Sector will be inclusive of the Inshore perspective.
I wish to restate that I wholeheartedly support the Management Framework initiatives.
For the first time Industry and State are sitting around the same table discussing how inshore fishing livelihoods can be best protected going forward.
The key to this is sustainability, sustainability not only of stocks but also of you the fishermen and your communities. The ultimate aim of any management plan must be to ensure that those in the industry can enjoy a decent living without compromising the sustainability of the stocks they fish.
Hard decisions have to be made and I am heartened by the constructive contribution Industry has made, and continues to make, in this difficult process.
I am sure that the right decisions will be made and I will do my utmost to ensure that those efforts are supported.
Without further ado, it is my pleasure to now declare the 2007 Irish Skipper Inshore Fisheries Expo open and I wish you all the very best for a successful event.
Thank you.
ENDS