Press Releases

Fishing Industry Urges Care Over Marine Protected Areas

UK fishing industry says a rushed process will do more harm than good

15 February 2013

The National Federation of Fisherman’s Organisations (NFFO), which represents fishermen’s groups, individual fishermen and producer organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has declared its support for the planned introduction of new marine conservation zones (MCZs) in UK waters, but cautions against a rush to designate over a hundred of them at a stroke. 

Environmentalists will gather in London on 25 February, to press Government to rush ahead with the immediate introduction of 127 MCZ sites. But the NFFO and other fisheries organisations, including the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) have warned that unless care is taken, the new areas could do more harm than good by displacing fishermen from their customary grounds.

According to Paul Trebilcock, Chairman of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, all responsible fishing industry stakeholders back MCZs but from experience, their introduction needs to be scrupulously planned, managed scientifically and phased in to avoid negative results. 

He said: “MCZs aren’t a new phenomenon – in fact the industry has been working actively within them for over a hundred years – but they do require selective introduction. In 2001, a large area of the North Sea was closed as an emergency measure to protect cod stocks. The scientific evaluation afterwards showed that this did next to nothing for the fish but displaced fishing fleets into immature haddock areas and onto pristine areas of the seabed that had never been fished before.  This is what can happen with a rushed process driven by political pressure.

“On the other hand, there are examples, such as the Trevose seasonal closure off North Cornwall, that are making a genuine contribution to conservation. The difference is that it was designed, planned and introduced with good evidence and the broad support of fishermen.”

As such, the NFFO says that sufficient time must always be given over to proper planning and consultation on any proposed protected areas – and that the process must involve all interested parties.  

Alan McCulla from the Kilkeel based ANIFPO reiterated local support for a chain of marine conservation zones.

“Our support for this initiative is well documented.  We have working with various agencies over a number if years to develop the process throughout the Irish Sea, as well as in Northern Ireland’s coastal waters.  It is in fishermen’s interests more than anyone else to ensure sustainable fish stocks and marine life.  Likewise, it is in fishermen’s interests more than anyone else to ensure that the process is based upon sound scientific evidence, which recognises issues such as displacement.”

End.

Positive Result for 

Northern Ireland’s Fishermen

20 December 2012

The EU’s December Fisheries Council negotiations concluded at 6:30am on Friday morning, after a marathon all night session.

In advance of the talks the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation had identified four priorities for fisheries in the Irish Sea, which were in line with sustainable fisheries management.  These were;

1. Prevent any further cut in the days at sea
2. Secure a rollover with the Area 7 prawn quota 
3. Secure a rollover on the Irish Sea cod TAC 
4. Secure a rollover with the Irish Sea haddock TAC -

The results were as follows:

Stock 2012 TAC 2013 Proposal           2013 TAC

7 Prawns 21,759 18,576           23,065 +6%

6 Prawns 16,650 16,650 19,647 +18%

7a Cod 380 285 285 -25%

7a Haddock 1,251 1,001 1,189 -5%

7a Whiting 89 71 80 -5%

7a Plaice 1,627 1,627 1,627 n/c

7a Herring 5,280 4,993 4,993 -5%

7 Anglers 30,677 24,542 29,144 -5%

6/7 Hake 30,900 20,860 30,900 n/c

Overall this was a positive result for Northern Ireland’s fishing industry, with significant increases in Northern Ireland’s most important fisheries for prawns, underlining the stability of those stocks in the Irish Sea and to the West of Scotland.

With the exception of cod, other quota reductions were minimised to levels that will not impact on local fishermen.  The 25% reduction in cod flies in the face of the European Commission’s own scientific advice and is an obvious disappointment in what otherwise is a good result.  The decision to freeze days at sea in 2013 at their 2012 levels represents another welcome and significant boost for the local fleet.

Alan McCulla Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation said,

“The Northern Ireland team came to Brussels with shared objectives and with the exception of cod we secured our objectives.  Our Fisheries Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA has secured a result that underpins the very significant steps our fishermen have taken in ensuring sustainable fisheries in the Irish Sea.  It is right to thank her, as well as our MPs, MEPs and other MLAs who intervened in London and Brussels to ensure a fair outcome for Northern Ireland’s fishing industry.”

“We share Minister O’Neill’s disappointment with the result on Irish Sea cod.  A 25% cut on what is classed as a choke stock in unjustifiable and will work against us assessing what exactly is happening with cod in the Irish Sea.”

“Nevertheless, we cannot complain about the overall result from this Fisheries Council, which provides Northern Ireland’s fishermen with additional catching opportunities over and above what they had in 2012.”

End.

First Flight Wind and the Fishing Industry

24 October 2012

The Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation has welcomed the start of community discussions with First Flight Wind regarding the potential development of an offshore wind farm.

"Over the past two years we have been working closely with the constituent parts of First Flight Wind, DETI and the Crown Estate.  These discussions have primarily been aimed at emphasising the importance of the local fishing industry and ensuring our issues are to the fore as detailed planning work on the proposal commences." said Alan McCulla OBE Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation.

"We are confident that First Flight Wind, DETI and the Crown Estate are very aware of the potential challenges this development brings to fishing, be that direct disruption of fishing activities or fish/shellfish spawning and nursery grounds.  Our number one priority is to avoid any disruption, but we recognise there will be issues for the fishing communities."

"However, as well as presenting challenges, offshore wind energy presents opportunities for the fishing community.  During 2012 up to 14 Kilkeel based trawlers have at any one time been involved in various offshore energy projects around the Irish Sea, which have benefitted these vessels directly and provided indirect benefits to trawlers not involved in the work.  In 2012 this work has resulted in multi-million pound contracts for Kilkeel based fishing vessels, which has already been acknowledged to benefit the entire community."

"Our position is clear.  The first priority is the maintenance of Kilkeel's core industry, which is fishing.  Fishing is in many ways one of the original sustainable industries and we cannot afford to see that position upset by any offshore developments.  However it would be remiss of us not to engage with the developers and using our assets and marine expertise maximise the benefits for the fishing industry in Co. Down.  Ours is not a vision, but as we are already proving it is reality in delivering socio-economic benefits to the coast.

End.   

ANIFPO Comments of 2013 Quota Proposal s

24 October 2012

The European Commission (EC) have today unveiled their fishing quota proposals for 2013 and whilst there are no big surprises, according to Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation the proposals demonstrate yet again the EC's absurd approach to these matters.

"It's traditional for the EC to launch their autumn quota negotiations with a dramatic headline grabbing proposal, full of negative numbers. Then the game begins, which will conclude in the week before Christmas with a deal.  This irresponsible approach to dealing with what is people's livelihoods should be brought to an end."

"In some ways it is a waste of time to comment on these proposals, but unfortunately there are those who are goaded into this trickery and for ulterior motives will use the proposals to undermine the fishing industry."

"Regrettably, despite the fact that fisheries science confirms an increasing fishery biomass in the Irish Sea, the EC has proposed significant cuts on some of our most important fisheries, such as that for prawns.  However, using the evidence available to us it will be a major disappointment if we cannot secure a rollover with this quota for 2013."

"The EC's flawed long term cod recovery plan remains in place and it is based on this document that yet another 25% cut in the Irish Sea cod quota is on the cards for 2013.

"On the positive side, the two year deal agreed earlier this year for the Irish Sea herring quota has been confirmed and the TAC for plaice is to remain the same in 2013, reflecting the positive science on these stocks."  

In December last year a deal was made with the EC that in return for the prawn fleet deploying highly selective gear they would get an exemption from days at sea restrictions.  This deal has yet to be delivered. In addition evidence from the fishery has emphasised the need for much more work to be done on the preferred gear, which is known as the Seltra Box."

"We've had a series of meetings with DARD and Minister O'Neill this week on these issues and I hope that as we now get into the detail of the quota negotiations we will end up with a satisfactory outcome for the fishing industry at sea and onshore."

End.

ANIFPO Welcomes Clarity on Decommissioning

10 October 2012

Members of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation have welcomed the clarification brought by today's announcement by Michelle O'Neill MLA that DARD will not be progressing a fishing vessel decommissioning scheme. However, the announcement is tinged with disappointment.

"It has taken DARD four yeas of deliberation to reach this conclusion and while there is relief that they've now cleared the air on this matter, the arguments used to reach a negative decision are flawed." said Alan McCulla Chief Executive of ANIFPO.

"It is true that previous decommissioning grants were used in an indirect way to help renew the local fishing fleet, but it is not true that from an EU perspective the fleet grew in size. The UK's fleet size is constrained by a restrictive licensing regime. No new licences are issued, so in the past when a UK fishing vessel has been decommissioned it's licence has been extinguished with it. As a result and following previous decommissioning schemes even if a local owner replaced a decommissioned trawler the overall size of the UK's fishing fleet did decline because there was still one less licence."

"What DARD were proposing would have affected all current and future local trawler owners, whether they availed of a decommissioning grant or not. Post any decommissioning scheme what DARD wanted was a regime that restricted local fishermen to using only those UK licences currently allocated within Northern Ireland. In other words our fishermen could not have purchased licenses and effectively fishing vessels from other parts of the UK. It is precisely this kind of trade that has allowed our fishermen to invest for the future. So this kind of restriction would have had massive consequences for the entire local industry and was an unacceptable condition of the proposed scheme."

"I have no doubt there are those fishermen who wanted to retire from the industry who will be disappointed with this decision.  However, the industry had to look at DARD's proposal from the perspective of those who see a future in fishing and that is why we could not accept DARD's proposal."

"This decision has freed up some £4 million of EU and national funding.  In moving forward we hope that DARD's review of the European Fisheries Fund will result in these finances being used in a way to help secure the future of the fishing fleet." concluded Alan McCulla.

End.

Irish Sea Herring Mid-Year Increase

6 August 2012

The European Commission have announced their agreement to a scientific recommendation to increase the Total Allowable Catch for herring in the Irish Sea.  This means the quota will be restored to it’s 2011 level of 5,280 Tonnes, an increase of just over 11% compared to the present situation.  As part of the two year deal, local fishermen have accepted a reduced catch of just under 5,000 Tonnes for 2013.

Alan McCulla OBE of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation said,

“This good news, unveiled by Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA today reflects continuing positive trends with the herring stock in the Irish Sea.  Thanks to the efforts of fisheries scientists in the Agri-Food and Bio Sciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast we have for the first time in many years an agreed scientific assessment for this stock, which was absent last December when the TAC was reduced.  More importantly, this assessment shows the herring population in the Irish Sea continuing to increase, with the stock estimated to be at it’s highest level in over 20 years.”

“Understandably there remains a degree of frustration that given these very positive stock trends we cannot avail of an even higher quota, but the deal agreed by our herring fishermen represents a very responsible approach; one that provides the fishery at sea and onshore with some stability and one that signals even better news to come in the years ahead.”

“As we approach the end of year quota negotiations, this deal also allows us to focus more on our most valuable fishery, that for nephrops.  Already this year there have been positive developments with nephrops or prawns.  At the beginning of 2012 there were those who prophesied disaster for our prawn fishermen, saying that the deal won last December meant that from 1 July they would have to work with a device known as a Swedish Grid.  In fact, thanks to the deal secured in December 2011 not only have we avoided this Grid, but our fishermen have proven their expertise in this area and come up with another gear modification that the European Commission are very positive about, which dramatically reduces discards and unwanted catches.  It is this kind of pro-active approach that should allow us to escape from draconian cod-related effort control rules, which as witnessed today by fishermen who target prawns to the West of Scotland can have far reaching negative consequences for the industry.

End.

New Recruits to County Down’s Fishing Fleet

Monday, 6 August 2012

Kilkeel is the venue for Northern Ireland’s first fishermen’s New Entrants Training Course, which introduces new recruits to the fishing industry.  Over the next three weeks, ten new fishermen from Ardglass and Kilkeel will be participating in an intensive course, at the end of which they will possess both the statutory qualifications required for a career at sea, as well as many of the other practical skills needed.

Maritta McLornan, Manager of the Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Group Training Association (NIFGTA) said,

“This is the first of what I hope is a regular intake of new entrants to the fishing industry in Northern Ireland.  With funding from the UK’s Sea Fish Industry Authority and the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) this is a unique opportunity for those wishing to pursue a career with the commercial fishing fleet to gain all the qualifications needed, including safety courses, as well as a wide range of practical skills, which will prove to be a real asset on the fishing vessels where they serve as crew.”

Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO), said that the very fact these courses were being held represented a vote of confidence in the fishing industry in Northern Ireland.

“Like every industry today the fishing industry continues to face a series of challenges, but County Down’s fishing fleet is answering these challenges and the fact that we are able to create employment in this sector is very good news indeed.  Attracting new blood to the fishing fleet has been a problem, but I hope this course signals this particular challenge is being addressed.  We are indebted to Seafish and EFF for funding this course, as well as the NIFGTA for organising it.  This is an excellent way of delivering the training fishermen require and it is being offered free of charge, which is a big bonus!”

The students will be competing for a ‘best of class’ award, which is being sponsored by the ANIFPO and will be awarded at the conclusion of the course.

Those interested in future such courses or any sea fisheries training need should contact the NIFGTA on 028 4277 1556 or the ANIFPO on 028 4176 2855.

End.

Northern Ireland Marine Bill: Avoiding the Pitfalls  

ANIFPO Host Fisheries Minister at Annual Dinner

20 April 2012

Northern Ireland’s Fisheries Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA was guest of honour at the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation’s (ANIFPO) first annual members dinner in Kilkeel on Friday evening (20 April 2012).

Mrs O’Neill who assumed the fisheries role as part of her wider Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio almost twelve months ago was welcomed to the dinner by John Cassidy, ANIFPO’s Vice-Chairman.

Dinner, which comprised of locally harvested scallops, prawns and cod was preceded by an address by the Minister, during which she emphasised  the need for regionalisation of the Common Fisheries Policy and the development of a mixed fisheries model for the Irish Sea, as well as the progress being made on the herring TAC..  In respect of a fishing vessel decommissioning scheme, the Minister stated the proposal was still being considered by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive of the ANIFPO said;

“We are delighted the Minister accepted our invitation to the first event of this kind in Northern Ireland.”

“Fisheries is a very important part of Michelle O’Neill’s brief and earlier this week the Minister was in Brussels for discussions with the European Commission about a range of issues affecting the fishing industry here, so the update the Minister was able to provide directly to our members on these and other issues was very timely indeed.”

“Practically every type of commercial fishing was represented around the table tonight, from the smallest inshore vessels targeting shellfish to the largest pelagic trawlers in the fleet and I believe everyone will have taken something away from what the Minister had to say tonight.”

“The first three/four months of 2012 have proven to be the busiest we can remember in terms of the number of issues the industry is grappling with.    Yet in the midst of reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and the Northern Ireland Marine Bill etc., discussions during and after dinner were dominated by one fish; cod.”

“The Minister and her officials were left in no doubt about the huge amount of frustration felt by fishermen in respect of the huge amount of cod being seen in the Irish Sea, which is not being recognised by fisheries managers or fisheries scientists.  In fact the rules fishermen have to comply with are  complicating the contradiction in that it is impossible to supply the evidence from the fishery about the abundance of cod in the Irish Sea, which in turn fuels the scientific perception that cod remain scarce in local waters.  This disparity is something that we all agree has to be tackled sooner rather than later.”

“This was ANIFPO’s first such dinner, which I believe was a success.  We are grateful to the Minister and particularly her officials for not only attending, but also participating in the after dinner debate.  We are already looking forward to repeating the exercise next year.”

End.   

Value of Landings up by 25%

24 January 2012

The value of all fish and shellfish landings into Northern Ireland has witnessed a significant increase in 2011 compared to 2010.  Figures just released by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Sea Fisheries Division show that in 2011 some 23,601 Tonnes of fish and shellfish were landed, with a value of £27.5 million.  This compares to landings in 2010 of 23,902 Tonnes, valued at £22.1 million.

Prawns or nephrops remain by far the most important species.  With a 3% increase in the volume landed, the value of the catch rose by a massive 43%, to a total of nearly £15.6 million.

According to Alan McCulla, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation, the very welcome increase in the value of prawn landings was primarily a reflection of demand outstripping supply.

“Despite the recession demand for prawns has been stable.  There has been a significant reduction in the supply, with reduced landings from outside the Irish Sea and the wider Area 7 management area.  This reduced supply cannot be put down to any one factor, but rather has come about for a variety of reasons.  Many industry commentators have been predicting for some time that a reduced supply of prawns would result in increased quayside prices and this has been proven to be correct.” said Alan McCulla

He went on; “At £27.5 million, the value of landings in 2011 were at the highest level in over 10 years and were a very welcome relief for most fishermen, who had battled to survive for several lean years in the face of reduced quayside prices and increased overhead costs, in particular for fuel.  These figures once again prove the resilience of the fishing fleet and wider industry.  They also go a long way to dispel arguments used by some in Northern Ireland that fishing is a historic industry facing extinction.”

Within the overall figure a number of interesting facts emerge.  Ten years ago (2001) there were 4,800 Tonnes of prawns landed into County Down’s three fishing ports, valued at £8.5 million.  In 2011 the equivalent figure was 7,300 Tonnes valued at £15.6 million.  In 2001 around 800 Tonnes of cod, valued at £1.2 million was landed, compared to 156 Tonnes valued at £0.35 million in 2011.  

Mackerel landings in 2001 totaled 1,100 Tonnes valued at £0.2 million, whereas in 2011 3,200 Tonnes of mackerel with a value of £3.2 million was put ashore in Northern Ireland.  Likewise in 2001, 200 Tonnes of Queen Scallops was landed with a value of £0.2 million.  By 2011 this had increased to over 3,000 Tonnes with a value of £1.2 million.

Alan McCulla went on, “The volume and value of cod and other demersal fish landed into Northern Ireland could be dramatically increased if we were allowed to sustainably harvest what is available in the Irish Sea.  Instead, the figures reflect the continuation of the EU’s failed Long Term Cod Recovery Regulation.  The challenge we have is getting this Regulation changed to reflect the abundance of demersal fish in the Irish Sea.”

Northern Ireland’s Top Ten Fisheries

Data just released by DARD shows the value of all landings of fish/shellfish into Northern Ireland increased by nearly 25% in 2011, compared to 2010, while tonnage was slightly down from 23,902 Tonnes in 2010 to 23,601 Tonnes in 2011 (-1.25%)

Stock 2010 Value (& Position) 2011 value and Position

ALL SPECIES £22,113,592.75 £27,484,056.93

Prawns £10,839,009.17 (1) £15,556,874.32 (1)

Mackerel £2,503,283.09 (2) £3,235,687.98 (2)

Herring £1,820,929.73 (3) £2,585,104.38 (3)

Queen Scallops £1,242,180.22 (4) £1,219,931.10 (4)

Scallops £1,238, 094.98 (5) £1,184,816.38 (5)

Horse Mackerel £201,988.52 (n/a) £504,397.02 (6)

Crabs (excl. Velvets) £865,534.57 (5) £500,123.34 (7)

Lobsters £549,258.18 (7) £438,725.36 (8)

Cod £633,845.06 (6) £345,566.08 (9)

Haddock £448,940.53 (8) £326,485.88 (10)

Fishermen Deflated by EU Decisions

Brussels, 17 December 2011

After two days of negotiations in Brussels, the conclusion of the EU’s Fisheries Council in the early hours of Saturday morning has left Northern Ireland’s fishermen feeling somewhat deflated.

Whilst against the background of a proposal from the European Commission for a 19% cut in nephrops, Northern Ireland’s most important stock, the negotiations ended with a rollover of the 2011 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) into 2012, there was less encouraging news for the remnants of Northern Ireland’s whitefish fleet and local herring fishermen.

Speaking after the finish of the Council, Alan McCulla, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation who was in Brussels for the negotiations said the result left him somewhat confused.

“We are relieved that a neutral result was achieved for our nephrop fishery.  According to the science a 19% cut in this quota was never justifiable. In fact we should have got an increase.  Nevertheless we are relieved that the Northern Ireland team, led by our Fisheries Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA, secured  a rollover of this TAC. Further deep cuts in the number of days all of our fishermen can spend at sea were tempered by the EC’s agreement to continue to allow our prawn fishermen to ‘buy-back’ days at sea through the adoption of various technical conservation measures. Whilst challenging, the aim during the first half of 2012 will be to identify additional measures to exempt our prawn fishermen from days at sea restrictions.”

“For our few remaining whitefish fishermen the news is not good.  A 25% cut in the Irish Sea cod quota, combined with a 25% cut in days at sea may well spell the end of what was once a very important part of the local fleet.  The situation with cod typifies the complete lack of logic in the Commission’s approach to these negotiations.  Irish Sea cod is one of the stocks the Commission describe as being data poor, but their answer to addressing this problem is to force fishermen to catch less cod, therefore providing less data.  This is a something we’ve been discussing with DARD for some considerable time.  We urgently need to address this situation as regretfully there is a complete contradiction between the amount of cod fishermen are seeing in the Irish Sea and the amount fisheries scientists say are there.”

“Herring in the Irish Sea presents another contradiction, but this time not between local fishermen and fisheries scientists, but rather between Northern Ireland’s fishing industry, officials and fisheries scientists on one side and the European Commission on the other.  All of the evidence, fisheries and science alike confirms the numbers of herring in the Irish Sea have at least quadrupled in the last four years. Yet after the EC agreeing a 10% rise in this TAC for 2011, the EC has imposed a 10% cut for 2012.  However, there remains an opportunity to resolve this situation in time for the 2012 herring season. There is absolutely no reason why the herring TAC could not be significantly increased.” 

“Overall the European Commission have imposed a reduction on the value of fish and shellfish local fishermen can land into Northern Ireland in 2012.  This is very disappointing, especially because if the science was followed there should have been an overall increase in the value of fish and shellfish landed into County Down’s fishing ports.”

“On a positive note, against the background of what the EC was proposing, even if these proposals were part of a game, we have ended up with a better result than what some were predicting.  One other issue the entire Northern Ireland team agrees upon is that having Eurocrats and officials from countries as far away as Estonia and Greece decide on what happens in the Irish Sea is a nonsense.  The sooner Brussels gets their hands out of the Irish Sea, the better it will be for fish stocks, the fishing industry and the economy of the County Down coast.” said Alan McCulla.

End. 

Viability of Irish Sea FSP at Risk

21 November 2011

The Anglo-North Irish FPO has questioned the future viability of the Irish Sea round fish Fisheries Science Partnership project.

For nine years the project has focused on catches of cod and other round fish in the Irish Sea.  While the project has come in for some criticism, in order to make it work, ANIFPO has contributed a significant amount of cod and other whitefish quota to the scheme.  However, with the EC’s proposal for a zero cod TAC in the Irish Sea for 2012, Alan McCulla the Organisation’s CEO has questioned how the Irish Sea FSP would function?

“We have raised the matter with CEFAS, who have agreed this would be an issue and that we will have to pursue ways of addressing it!  It seems CEFAS understands that if we are effectively banned from catching cod, let alone landing it, then there is a serious problem in terms of providing evidence from the fishery.” said Alan McCulla.

“What this once again highlights is the situation raised by recent correspondence to ‘Fishing News’ (How good is the science?, 18 November 2011), where we have effectively got caught in an ever decreasing circle in terms of providing meaningful evidence from our fisheries.  As a result, because we cannot provide the data, we get punished by having our quotas reduced even further.”

“In respect of cod and other whitefish in the Irish Sea, a range of ideas and proposals have been tabled over a number of years in respect of a sentinel fishery.  With this in mind we are slightly  encouraged that marine scientists from Belfast and Galway have been tasked with drafting an option paper on the way forward, but this is an issue that needs to be treated with urgency given some of the TAC/effort proposals we are faced with for 2012.  From our perspective, whilst it must be scientifically valid, any sentinel fishery should be open to all sections of the fleet, because all our vessels have been catching cod.  What we don’t need is another project along the lines of the current FSP.”

“I very much regret the predictions some of us made 3 years ago about the impact of the Long Term Cod Recovery Plan have come through.  Fishermen in the Irish Sea had felt the pain long before 2008, but I take no comfort in being reminded what I said to our members 3 years ago, when I predicted that change might only happen when fishermen in other areas started to feel similar pain.  It seems this is beginning to happen.”

End.

Irish Sea Protection on Agenda with Fisheries Minister

24 October 2011

The Anglo-North Irish FPO’s Chief Executive Alan McCulla accompanied South Down’s MP Margaret Ritchie to a meeting in London last week with the UK’s Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon.

The meeting had been arranged by Margaret Ritchie to discuss recommendations for Marine Protected Areas (MPAS) in the Irish Sea.  Mr. Benyon is currently considering proposals to create a chain of MPAs around England and in offshore waters just outside Northern Ireland’s territorial waters.

Alan McCulla said,

“The fishing fleet from Northern Ireland constitutes 80% of the UK’s fishing effort in the Irish Sea, yet to date 100% of the proposals for MPAs in the Irish Sea have come from England.”

“It was largely by accident that Northern Ireland’s fishing interests learned about the English MPA process for the Irish Sea and we had a struggle to get our interests represented on the Irish Sea Coastal Management stakeholder forum.  Even after Northern Ireland’s input was agreed there was a perception that our interests were being largely ignored, so as targets could be met.  This perception was reinforced earlier this year when the recommendations for Irish Sea MPAs were unveiled, with the majority of the areas covered prime fishing grounds for Northern Ireland’s fleet.

“We understand the UK is obliged to create a chain of MPAs, but what we have seen from England is only one part of the story.  We await similar proposals from the other devolved administrations, as well as the Republic of Ireland.  In addition there is a myriad of other  overlapping issues that need to be taken into consideration, not the least of which are the development of sites for offshore renewable energy.”    

“We were able to deploy new mapping information with Mr. Benyon, which both reinforces the importance of the the recommended MPAs to Northern Ireland’s fishermen, but also helps establish locations where MPAs would be acceptable to our interests.  It was clear that Mr. Benyon was impressed with this information.  He clearly understood the argument that decisions on these recommendations cannot be made in isolation to everything else that is going on in or planned for the Irish Sea.” 

The delegation also used the meeting as a first opportunity to discuss proposed Total Allowable Catches for Irish Sea stocks in 2012.

“As part of the negotiations we have come to expect the European Commission making ludicrous proposals at this stage in the process.  So far as fisheries management is concerned it isn’t the fishing industry that lacks credibility, but rather the European Commission. The problem is that their playing games does undermine confidence within the industry as we approach what is the end of a relatively successful year.” concluded Alan McCulla.

End.  

Dismay, but not surprise at EC Quota Proposals.

  27 September 2011

“We have come to expect a total lack of logic from the European Commission at this time of year when they announce their proposals for catch opportunities in the new year, and the EC’s proposals for fishing quotas in 2012 continue this tradition.” said Alan McCulla, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation.

Mr. McCulla’s comments followed today’s publication by the EC of their proposals for fishing opportunities in 2012.  For the Irish Sea, they include severe reductions in practically all fisheries, despite fisheries science for the majority of stocks being quite positive.

“The EC have once again proposed a zero catch of cod in the Irish Sea, against a background of increased abundance of the fish during 2011.  The EC continually preach that their proposals are based upon the ‘best available science’, but only a few weeks ago the EC’s own fisheries scientists concluded the EC’s own so called long term cod recovery plan had not delivered on it’s objectives and did not have stakeholders’ support.    They went onto say that a plan which stakeholders support was more likely to succeed because the stakeholders’ actions are needed to contribute to it’s success.”

“Yet the Commission’s response to their own science is to inflict another dose of their failed medicine, which in turn will increase discards of cod in the Irish Sea, along with a range of other species.” said Alan McCulla.

“Even with Northern Ireland’s most important fishery, that for prawns, which the science says is at worst stable and at best increasing in the Irish Sea and around it’s wider management area, the EC have proposed a 17% cut in the Total Allowable Catch for 2012.”

“With Irish Sea herring, where a 10% increase in the quota was secured for 2011, against a recommended increase of 30% over the past 2 years, the EC have now proposed a 25% cut for 2012, despite fisheries scientists describing herring as a stock that ‘has gone through the roof’ in the Irish Sea.”

“This is the opening round in the annual quota negotiations and there is a long way to do before the final decisions are made.  We have learned not to get too excited about the EC’s proposals, because as well as being illogical, the reality the EC seem to work to is that if they ask for plenty of cuts, they’ll settle for something less, which in turn will be presented as a victory for all concerned.”

“We now look to Northern Ireland’s Fisheries Minister and her officials to present a rigorous case for Northern Ireland’s fishing industry and the fish stocks on which we depend that reflects reality and not the bleak fantasy land the EC seem continually live in.” concluded Alan McCulla.

End

A Proud Day for ANIFPO and Kilkeel’s Fishing Industry

8 September 2011

The Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) was honored and thrilled to host the visit by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Kilkeel’s fishing industry on Thursday afternoon.

The visit, which recognised the contribution of the fishing industry to the Kingdom of Mourne and entire County Down coast was based upon a sustainable fishing theme.  

The afternoon’s programme was designed to emphasise many of the positives aspects of the fishing industry, including the innovative work that local fishermen have taken to secure the future of their industry and the fish stocks on which the industry depends.  At the same time, industry representatives highlighted some of the challenges (or opportunities) facing the industry, in particular with regard to the management of cod in the Irish Sea.

Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive of the ANIFPO, accompanied the Prince of Wales throughout the visit.  Margaret More, an ANIFPO Director, accompanied the Duchess of Cornwall during the first part of the visit to Kilkeel harbour.

Alan McCulla said,

“Today’s visit has been a unique opportunity to celebrate Kilkeel and Northern Ireland’s fishing industry.  Their Royal Highnesses’ visit is a major boost of confidence to our fishermen and all of those involved in the industry.  It recognises the tremendous contribution fishing has made and continues to make to the Kilkeel and Annalong communities, as well as the resilience of the industry itself.”

“The visit had been scheduled to last one and a half hours, but was extended by over an hour and I hope this is some indication that Their Royal Highnesses appreciated the very warm welcome they received at Kilkeel harbour.”

“Both Their Royal Highnesses were extremely generous of their time and warm in their conversations, which made everyone relaxed. The Prince was very knowledgable about the complexities of the fishing industry in general, but was keen to learn about the specific issues facing the industry in Kilkeel and the Irish Sea.  The Duchess enjoyed the opportunity to exhibit her cookery skills in the Mourne Seafood Cookery School, with locally caught seafood.  We were delighted that they accepted our gifts, including a hamper of local seafood, which had been put together by a number of local fish processors.” 

“Whilst there was a lot of disruption around the harbour, I hope that everyone from the fishing industry and our guests who had the opportunity to meet the Prince and Duchess will look back upon this day with as much pride and satisfaction as we do.”  

End.

Immigrant Fishermen Visa Announcement Welcomed

29 August 2011

County Down fishermen have welcomed the announcement by the UK’s Immigration Minister Damien Greene MP that he will extend by 12 months the temporary visas granted to immigrant fishermen, mainly from the Philippines, who are working on board local trawlers.

The scheme, which was launched in January 2010, had originally been intended to last for 18 months, but renewed representations from the fishing industry, together with a range of political representatives including Strangford MP Jim Shannon, persuaded Mr. Greene to extend the programme from 1 September 2011.

“This is very good news for both the Filipino fishermen who have been successfully and happily working here for some time and wanted to stay in Northern Ireland, as well as the trawler owners who have been very impressed with the skills the Filipino fishermen have brought to the local fishing industry.” said Alan McCulla, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation.

“Since coming here in 2007 the Filipino fishermen have been integrated into the fishing industry and it speaks volumes for our industry that they want to continue their maritime careers working from Northern Ireland.  The fishing community owes these men a big debt, as they do all the men who are involved in our industry.”

Alan McCulla went onto say that renewed representations on the temporary visa programme had been made to the United Kingdom’s Border’s Agency and Home Office earlier this year.

“For some considerable time it looked as though our request to have the visas extended was going to be turned down, but representations by Jim Shannon and a number of Scottish based MPs obviously persuaded the authorities that this was a sensible decision to make.  We very much welcome this development.”

End. 

Fishermen meet New Fisheries Minister

29th June 2011

Representatives of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) were amongst those who met with Northern Ireland’s new Fisheries Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA during her visit to Kilkeel harbour today.

Alan McCulla, Chief Executive of the ANIFPO said:

“Today also marked the release of the annual scientific advice on the state of fish stocks in the Irish Sea and we were able to advise the Minister that this advice contained good news for fish stocks in our waters.”

“The advice covers 7 fish stocks and prawns, which is our most important fishery.  It confirms that over 90% of what our fishermen harvest from the Irish Sea is either stable or increasing.  In fact the stock of herring is at it’s highest level in 18 years.”

“Unfortunately, the science also states there is a big gap in the detailed knowledge about some of the stocks, which includes cod.  The use of words within the advice such as ‘unknown’ and ‘uncertain’ will mean the European Commission will take a draconian approach to their quota proposals for 2010 and will probably propose 25% reductions across the board.”

“Today’s meeting with Minister O’Neill provided the fishing industry with the first opportunity to explain some of the issues with what is a very complex policy area.  We provided the Minister with evidence to show that Northern Ireland’s fishing industry has a good news story to tell, but more often than not this good news was lost in the political horse trading that goes on as we approach the autumn fisheries negotiations.”

“Quotas was just one of the issues we discussed with the Minister.  Proposals on the reform of Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy are expected in mid-July and a range of other important subjects such as the imposition of Marine Protected Areas and the review of the Cod Recovery regulation are high on our agenda.  We discussed our increasing concerns about the role of devolution in terms of UK fisheries management, a fishing vessel decommissioning scheme and discards, which is high on Europe’s agenda.  We explained to Minister O’Neill that Northern Ireland’s fishermen had taken the lead on a range of initiatives designed to reduce discards, but it was Europe’s fisheries policy that had both created the problem in the first place and was preventing us from implementing solutions.”

“The Minister understands well that we are depending on her to make robust representations on our behalf in London, Brussels and elsewhere.  Likewise we understand that we have to work in tandem with the Minister to ensure that consistent messages come from everyone in Northern Ireland who have an interest in maintaining and indeed promoting our fishing industry.”

End 

ANIFPO Hosts EU Fisheries Director General

15 June 2011

The Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) was pleased to host the Director General of the European Commission’s Fisheries Directorate during her visit to Kilkeel on Tuesday, 14th June 2011.  Lowri Evans had been visiting Northern Ireland at the invitation of Diane Dodds MEP.  The meeting was also attended by representatives from all sectors of the fishing industry in Kilkeel and Ardglass.

Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive of the ANIFPO said:

“This visit is a bit of a feather in the cap for Northern Ireland’s fishing industry, as Portavogie and Kilkeel are the first fishing ports that Lowri Evans has visited since taking up her role last year.”

As Director General of DG Mare, Lowri Evans is second only to Commissioner Damanaki in terms of influence within the Brussels fisheries establishment.

“This visit could not have come at a better time, as the Commission is poised to unveil it’s proposals for the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.  In addition the issue of discards is very high on the Commission’s agenda and the review of the Long Term Cod Recovery (LTCRP) Plan is ongoing.” said Alan McCulla.

He went on:

“The fishing industry in Northern Ireland and the Irish Sea sometimes feels neglected as matters affecting other sea areas take president.  Be it on management issues or fisheries science, fishermen based in the Irish Sea perceive they are left with the fallout created by decisions based on fisheries in the North Sea.  Therefore, as well as hearing first hand about the problems facing our entire fishing industry at sea and onshore, we were delighted to brief Ms Evans about the positive initiatives our industry is taking on a range of fronts.”

“We suggested to Ms Evans that catch quotas and similar proposals that were being advocated for some fisheries were not suitable for the Irish Sea and were only sticking plasters that did nothing to deal with the root of the problem.  Most fishermen who are attracted to these schemes do so because they offer a short term lifeline - for some they mean survival, while the underlying problems such as increasing uncertainty about cod stocks and the real impact of fishing mortality continue unanswered.  There have been far too many fishermen forced out of the industry here in Northern Ireland because of the sticking plaster approach and an unwillingness by many in positions of influence to tackle the real problem.”

“We were able to provide Ms Evans with extensive scientifically verifiable observer based evidence that while Northern Ireland’s fishermen had successfully delivered very low discards of cod in the Irish Sea (<1.5% in 2008), this trend had now gone into reverse because of centralised EU fisheries policies that dictated automatic 25% cod TAC reductions since 2009.  We were also able to exhibit a trawl developed by our prawn fishermen that could reduce discards of whiting and haddock by over 50%, but which current EU technical conservation regulations outlawed.”

“In light of recent statements from Brussels about discards, it was encouraging to see Ms Evans take a real interest in what we had to show and tell her.  She made a number of important suggestions as to how we might progress the issues facing the industry in the Irish Sea and we fully intend to take up her invitation to pursue these ideas directly with her and her team.”

“While Ms Evans was left in no doubt that our industry’s preference would be to leave Europe’s centralised fishing policy, we also highlighted what we perceive to be an increasing threat created by the devolution of fisheries within the United Kingdom.  Of course these are issues beyond Ms Evan’s remit and our criticisms were in no way intended as a  rebuff to meaningful regionalisation of the CFP, but we suggested to her that the way fisheries policy was being driven within the UK was more to do with politics and less to do with the practicalities of the fishing industry, from which parallels can be drawn with EU fisheries policy.”

End

Dismay at decision on new Kilkeel Breakwater

28th February 2011

Fishermen in Kilkeel have reacted with disappointment to last week’s announcement by Michelle Gildernew MLA that DARD had opted for the provision of an Enhanced Safety Management System to deal with the problems at the entrance to Kilkeel harbour, instead of constructing a new safety breakwater.

However, according to Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation the announcement had not come as a surprise given the current economic climate and DARD’s history of dealing with this matter.

“The problems associated with the entrance to Kilkeel harbour have been well known for decades.  In October 2008 an extensive modelling and consultation exercise had recommended the provision of a new safety breakwater to the south of the harbour entrance.  This breakwater would have practically solved all of the safety concerns we have with the harbour entrance.  Unfortunately, the perception amongst the fishermen is that the recommendation was not what DARD wanted, so DARD employed more consultants to come up with a recommendation which was more to their liking.”

“Of course port users will consider DARD’s announcement and work with the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority (NIFHA) to implement a scheme that is as effective as possible, but there is a lot of cynicism being directed against DARD on this issue, who must have spent almost as much money on consultants than they will do on their preferred ‘solution’.”

“It is more than a coincidence that at the same time as announcing this disappointing news, the DARD Minister announces financial assistance for what is described as the ‘small scale fishing sector.  Let it be clear, this is not new money, but is part of the European Fisheries Fund, which DARD unveils as something new when they have bad news to deliver.”

“In respect of all Northern Ireland’s fishery harbours we recognise the Minister and her Department have listened to the arguments we deployed against the proposed increase in harbour landing charges and of course we welcome the fact these charges will not be increased this year, but this has to be put into the context of increases in other harbour charges, including ice.”

End.

ANIFPO marks Retirement of Mission Superintendent

28th January 2011

The retirement of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen’s Senior Superintendant Alex Slater MBE and his wife Trish was marked by the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation at a reception on Friday morning at Kilkeel harbour, which was attended by members and staff of the organisation.

During the reception John Cassidy, the Organisation’s Chairman presented Alex and Trish with a portrait by local artist Victor Cirefice, which had been especially commissioned by the ANIFPO.  The portrait depicts a trawler departing Kilkeel harbour on its way to the fishing grounds in the Irish Sea.
Of coincidence was the fact that the trawler depicted in the portrait was the ‘Conmoran’, which had just been delivered new to owners in North Shields when Alex took up his first Superintendant’s position with the Fishermen Mission there in 1973.

In thanking Alex and Trish for their years of dedication to fishermen and the fishing industry, not only in Kilkeel and Northern Ireland, but all around the UK and Ireland, Alan McCulla OBE, Chief Executive of the Organisation said that Alex and Trish had in many ways become part of the wider fishing family in Kilkeel and all along the County Down coast.

He said,

“We are going to miss Alex and Trish.  As they take their leave of Kilkeel that story is reflected in Victor Cirefice’s work.  But just as the trawlers return to Kilkeel after their trips we hope that Alex and Trish will be regular visitors back to their home port.”

“On behalf of all of members and staff of ANIFPO and the wider fishing community we want to wish Alex and Trish a very happy retirement.”

End.

Local Industry to Attend Brussels Fisheries Negotiations

^{10th December 2010}  

Local fishing industry representatives will be travelling to Brussels on Sunday morning to attend important negotiations that will dictate fishing opportunities in the Irish Sea during 2011.

Speaking in advance of the EU’s December Fisheries Council, Alan McCulla OBE from the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation said,

"Local priorities will cover the fisheries for prawns, herring and cod."

"We are constantly reminded by officials from Belfast, London and Brussels that next week’s decisions must be based on the science. While fishermen continue to have issues with certain aspects of the science, especially that on cod, we are happy to take this advice and hope that the good scientific prognosis for prawns and herring, as well as several other Irish Sea stocks will result in a positive result for the local industry come next Tuesday evening."

"On prawns, Europe wants to wreck a management system that according to the science has been a success story for over 35 years. Fisheries scientists have confirmed that in the Irish Sea the stock size has increased by 8% in the past two years and management measures introduced to conserve other parts of the prawn stock around Ireland have been a success. So if the formula is successful, why does Europe want to break it?"

"If you were being really cynical you could conclude that prawns have been the only fishery that Europe has not interfered with too much since we joined the EU and as a result it has been a stock and fishery that has flourished. We are really concerned that Europe wants to make it a clean sweep in the Irish Sea and destroy the prawn fishery too."

"With cod, after eleven years of EU inspired, so-called ‘cod recovery measures’ the science tells us the stock is now in a worse state than ever before. However, our fishermen strongly disagree with that advice. For many years we have been calling for a thorough review of cod and other fisheries in the Irish Sea, along with the accompanying science and management tools, which include the temporary spring closure. We hope that after a lot of hard work that we’ve put in this year that the Fisheries Council will agree to launch such a review early in 2011. This review, together with the good news about the extremely low level of cod discarding by our fleet should mean that we can have some hope for the year ahead, but I have to say we are used to disappointments from the December Fisheries Council."

"Herring is a traditional fishery off the County Down coast, which has been curtailed by a quota that is held at an artificially low level. Both the science and the European Commission’s own advisers have called for the quota on this stock to be increased by 15% in 2011 and this will be one of our priorities at the forthcoming talks."

"The science on Irish Sea plaice and haddock is also positive and hopefully this will also be reflected in the final outcome."

"We have learned to armour ourselves for bad news from the EU’s December Fisheries Council, but we always live in hope. All we want is a just and equitable deal from Europe that reflects the hard work and sacrifices made by our fishermen over many years."

End.

Good News on Irish Sea Discards.

Good News on Irish Sea Discards.

Good News on Irish Sea Discards.

22nd November 2010

Commenting on the very encouraging discard data from the Northern Irish fishing fleet in the Irish Sea, Alan McCulla from the Anglo-North Irish FPO admitted that the results had exceeded even the best predictions for the observer and self-sampling programme.

"It has been difficult for many of us based in Northern Ireland and the Irish Sea to listen as the high profile rewarded to discard reduction and monitoring projects promoted in the North Sea and other parts of the UK have eclipsed the Irish Sea. Our work has been proceeding quietly in the background and I hope that Northern Ireland's Fisheries Minister Michelle Gildernew and other supportive politicians can now use this hard factual evidence to promote the hard work and sacrifices our fishermen have made to achieve this result."

"We cannot afford to sit back and we are already in discussion with DARD's fisheries scientists to build on the progress made to date using EFF funding."

"But I have to be clear that we oppose the kind of panic driven initiatives being advocated in other parts of the UK, particularly the North Sea. These represent nothing more than sticking plasters being applied in an attempt to heal a deep wound. That wound will not heal without a thorough review of the fisheries, science and managements measures in the Irish Sea and elsewhere. While for the Irish Sea the Commission has recognised at least part of this, there is a fear amongst our fishermen that the EC will misinterpret these very encouraging discard figures, as they have done with so much other information, to conclude that the result with cod reinforces a misguided perception there are very few cod left in the Irish Sea and that's the reason they're not being discarded."

"This is genuine good news, based on scientific fact and I hope in the brief period we have until the December Council that it will be recognised as good news by the EC and we can secure a just result for the Irish Sea in 2011."

End.

ANIFPO attend Fisheries Meetings

22nd February 2010

What is likely to be the penultimate meeting of Northern Ireland's Fisheries Forum, laucnched by the DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew in March 2008, was held in Ballynahinch on Thursday of last week. The meeting was attended by represenatives from the Anglo-North Irish FPO Ltd.

During the last 18 months the Fisheries Forum has met on a regular basis to discuss the implementation of the European Fisheries Fund and last week's meeting was presented with draft recommendations for the DARD Minister.

Commenting on the meeting, Alan McCulla from the ANIFPO said that while the work of the Forum had on occasion been over shadowed by crisis brought about by the hike in fuel costs, days at sea and quota issues, he hoped that the recommendations put to the Minister by the Forum would reflect first and foremost what fishermen wanted and what was in the best long term interests of the entire fishing industry.

"It is clear that fishermen want a stable future. We've all been looking towards the light at the end of tunnel, but everytime the light seems to be getting a little closer, it seems those who claim to be managing the industry order some more tunnel and the light gets further away again."

"We hope that as the work of the Forum draws to a conclusion, the Minister will soon confirm her intention to launch a fishing vessel decommissioning scheme, which will form part of a strategy to reorganise the fishing industry, which will lead to an economically viable and sustainable future for the entire industry."

"Of course decisions made here in Northern Ireland will not guarantee that furture, unless we can also secure a change in the way fisheries management is imposed from Brussels, but we've got to start somewhere and learn from the piecemeal approach that has failed us in the past."

Later in the week, ANIFPO representatives also attended the latest meeting between the Tri-Council Fisheries Group and the DARD Minister, where discussions were held on a wide range of issues affecting the industry and fishing communities.

Alan McCulla said,

"We appreciate the support from all the local politicians involved in the Tri-Council group. It is clear that be it with decommissioning or whatever tools are used to secure a long term future for the industry, they must be applied in a non-discriminatory fashion, where every trawler owner can make a decsion on his/her future in the industry."

End

Another Blow for NI Fishing Industry

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