Ireland’s fishing industry has welcomed a commitment from Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue to protect access to the country’s rich blue whiting fishing grounds, with him stating this week that he was working at an EU-level to limit the transfer of quotas to Norway.
Blue whiting in Irish waters is valued at an estimated €100-120 million for 2023. Ireland currently has just 3% of the EU allowable quota for blue whiting, while Norway already has 18% and was seeking greater access to Irish coastal waters.
McConalogue said he was working closely with the EU Fisheries Commissioner to restrict access for the Norwegian fleet to the Irish zone and in particular the area within 50 miles of the Irish coast. His statement followed talks on provisional 2023 fishing quotas at the December Council meeting of the EU Fisheries Commission in Brussels.
Irish fishing representatives in Brussels for the duration of the talks included Aodh O’Donnell, Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO).
O’Donnell said the minister must hold firm against the proposal to give Norway access to Irish blue whiting.
“Until a final deal is reached, there is still a danger that EU interests will want to sacrifice access to Ireland’s waters to secure Norway’s artic cod for themselves. There is as yet no equitable offer on the table which would give Ireland anything in return for this blue whiting. This effectively pits us against other EU members, who don’t necessarily care about Ireland’s interests but do want access to Norway’s cod.
“What we need is solidarity all round. The Irish fishing industry representatives are united and of one voice on this important national issue. We need the support of our minister to fight for a fair deal. We need the support of the EU, so they give Ireland a fair deal. In return, we will support a politically negotiated agreement which gives Ireland, other member states and Norway a fair deal,” he said.
Norway receives additional amounts of blue whiting each year in return for access to its waters. For access in 2023, the Norwegian proposal is for more than 50,000 tonnes, with 7,500 tonnes coming from Ireland. In return, Europe would get 10,000 tonnes of cod, with just 300 tonnes going to Ireland.
