David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise this matter to elicit information from the Minister of State on the fishing sector in County Waterford and make a case for securing Government support for the sector. Fishing is an important sector for coastal communities in the south east. The most recent Forfás report on the economy of the region, which was published in the wake of job losses at TalkTalk, described agriculture and fishing as two strong sectors in the south east. While it is correct that fishing is very important to the region, it is also the case that restrictions on fishing for certain species on the Waterford Estuary, specifically salmon, bass and eels, have created hardship for fishermen. Some of the decisions to restrict fishing of certain species that have been traditionally caught in the south east were taken for conservation reasons. I support such decisions because I am in favour of a sustainable, financially viable, eco-friendly fishing sector. For these reasons, I would not under any circumstances support fishing which could have an impact on stocks.

A number of studies on the eel sector resulted in the imposition of a ban on eel fishing in 2009. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources carried out a further evaluation in 2012 which reaffirmed the view that eel stocks were low and recommended that the eel fishery remain closed for the foreseeable future. As the Minister of State will be aware, there is no bass quota this year. That foreign fishermen do not face any similar restriction has caused considerable resentment among Irish fishermen, including in the south east. Foreign vessels may fish for bass in Irish waters, yet bass fishing is banned in the Waterford Estuary and off the south-east coast.

I ask the Minister of State to outline the position regarding fishing in the south east. What research has been done on the various species of fish in the region? Is consideration being given to easing current restrictions in some areas, specifically for bass? Where this is not possible, for example, in eel fishing, what income supports have been provided to fisherman? I am sure the Minister of State will agree that it is not good that fishermen are being forced to go further out to sea, into dangerous waters and conditions, as they seek to make a living because their traditional fishing rights have been removed. Not only were their rights taken from them but they were not given adequate compensation. For example, no social, economic, employment or financial supports were provided either to the fishermen, their families or their communities.

I know many fishermen whose families have fished off the south coast for generations. They almost regard themselves as an indigenous people, yet their rights were taken from them, sometimes for good and sometimes for bad reasons. Many of them left school at 14 or 15 years of age because they loved fishing and the sea.

We have abandoned entire fishing and coastal communities. I put it to the Minister of State that what we need is a financially viable and sustainable fishing sector in the south east. We need a plan and we need to support our coastal communities. We must ensure that where restrictions are put in place for good reasons, adequate supports and compensation are given to fishermen. Where there are possibilities for increasing the catch, and Bass would be an example here, these should be explored. Obviously, that must happen in the context of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.