Mr. Séamus Ó Cnáimhsí:

I am an islander from Arranmore in County Donegal. I wish to draw the committee's focus back to the islands in the context of the recent legislation passed in Europe specifically recognising islands and their fisheries. I fully support what Mr. Early and O'Brien have said. The island group with which we work support their call for an easing of the salmon ban and the various restrictions in area VIA. Island fishermen want to fish. The most recent figures from the Marine Institute indicate that offshore fisheries are worth €1.1 billion per annum. As Mr. O'Donnell noted, the latest figures on inshore fisheries suggest a value of €30 million. It is a huge resource and the islanders just want their fair share of it.

The European legislation is not accompanied by co-ordinated national legislation. We would like to see a cross-departmental working group with island representation and a focus on implementation. Considerable work has been done over the years but many of the ensuing reports are just sitting on shelves. The time has long passed to put them into practice. If there is a need to consolidate management structures, that should be done. The focus should be on providing infrastructure and conservation measures so that fisheries are sustainable in the long term.

We need to move away from the current short-term management systems towards long-term management of fisheries.

A 20-year timescale should not be out of the question. If one wants fisheries and the communities which depend on them to survive, that is the way we will have to start to think. Until now fisheries management has relied heavily on economics and on scientific advice. There are provisions in the European legislation, including under the Common Fisheries Policy, to support indigenous communities. Their input as part of the process has not been taken on board until now and the joint sub-committee should take that into consideration when making its recommendations. A process should be put in place with national representation agreed with the fishermen and the various State agencies.

We would welcome an integrated coastal zone management system. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is engaged in public consultation at the moment. The islands should be specifically recognised in that process because they have particular circumstances. Any legislation or policies introduced should be island-proofed. Individual islands are working on various initiatives, whether in fishing, training or in aquaculture. The point is they cannot do so alone and need to take a co-ordinated, national approach. A bit of foresight and planning is also needed, so they can plan for the long term.

Deputy McNamara asked about regional branding. There are examples around the Marine Stewardship Council. For example, Cornish handline mackerel fishermen have established sustainable fisheries and they get a premium price for their product in the market over and above the standard price.

There are legitimate concerns about aquaculture which must be addressed. Examples include escapees from farms, the sustainability of fish feed - that is, that the feed is sourced from sustainable sources - sea lice, waste and disease.

I refer the joint sub-committee back to the submission made by the Inis Óirr and the Aran Islands communities who have specific concerns which cannot be discounted and should be addressed. There is a balance between employment and other aspects.