Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations. I welcome the commencement of this engagement which if utilised properly can be hugely beneficial in terms of meeting all of our hopes and expectations.

I come from a fishing community. As such, I am conscious of the marked decline over the past number of decades in this sector, particularly in inshore fishing. Like Deputy Ó Cuív, for me, the 1,614 vessels are the most important given their connection with our respective communities. The people involved come from, live in and spend their money in the communities. One of the biggest disasters in this area of the fishing sector was the abolition of drift netting. It has done huge damage, the knock-on effect of which has been felt by the crab, lobster, crayfish and gill netting sectors. Pressure on these areas has increased as a result of that measure.

I am acutely aware, having played a central role in it, of the oyster fishery in Tralee Bay. Management of that fishery and sustainability of the crop has, despite all the pressures, continued to be a source of income to the 78 permit holders there. It is down to management that it has survived. Previously all involved in the sector, because we were fishing based on greed rather than quota and benefit, were exploiting it. Despite this effort, I am concerned about pressure on the lobster and crayfish sectors in particular. In this regard, I fully support the v-notch. Some very close friends of mine are involved in the industry. When fishing previously we fished approximately 100 to 150 round barrel pots, but currently these people are fishing 600 to 800 pots. I understand people in other areas are fishing up to 1,000 pots. They are doing this in order to make a living. That is the reality. The cost of diesel, insurance, boat maintenance and so on is high. These fishermen are under extraordinary pressure. While it is to their credit that they remain involved, it is a huge investment for a small return. I know of people who have been hauling 600 pots a day for approximately €50 or €60.

My first question is to Mr. Whooley and is based on the current debate around aquaculture, salmon farming and so on. Has consideration been given to on-shore facilities for aquaculture, in particular in relation to salmon? I am told it is feasible. I acknowledge there are differing scientific views on this issue and that it is often difficult to ensure the right decision is made when there are so many differing views to be taken into account. For example, the IFI is totally opposed to what is proposed for Galway and is prepared to take the matter further if it goes ahead. All of us have to make up our own minds. We all want to see more people involved in the sector and the continued viability of coastal communities. Currently, our coastal communities are not viable; they have been decimated. The escape valve has been emigration. A number of our inshore fisherman are dependent on non-Irish nationals for a crew. The level of emigration is also causing a problem in this sector.

On the restoration of the sea bass quota, I have received representations from various different groups, in particular the IFO, who believe the sea bass quota should be reinstated and could provide an income. Has any consideration been given to this issue? I would welcome the views of other delegates on that matter. On aquaculture and other projects, those of us involved in putting together the presentation on natural resources consulted with many people. Central to this process is local consultation. The imposition of a particular measure on people without consultation can cause serious resentment and can be detrimental to the good will that may exist in that regard.

Reference was made earlier to the labelling of inshore fishing. That is a marketing issue. Proper labelling and marketing of this fish could provide a great return for local communities. It may also result in additional income for related industries within communities. As far as I am concerned the elephant in the room is the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, the impact of which, in terms of quota, has been detrimental. It has resulted in competition in Irish waters between Irish fishermen and fishermen from countries whose quota far exceeds ours, which, in turn, is having a knock-on effect for people in coastal communities. We all know what happened in 1972-73. This issue has never been properly addressed. If we had an adequate quota we could develop an infrastructure and industry that would be of great benefit to Ireland as a whole and, in particular, to coastal communities.

On the SFPA, we have had our difficulties with it in the past. I am taking the delegates at their word that matters have improved greatly. It was stated that there is a great deal of consultation with the south-east, which I welcome. As a public representative from a coastal community I am regularly contacted by people about the operations of the SFPA. I am happy to take the delegates at their word that a lot has changed.