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The FD Podcast Series 1 Episode 21 – Oliver McBride speaks to Patrick Murphy from the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation on December Council, Decommissioning, Tie-up Schemes, Fishers rights and more.
December Council, Decommissioning, Tie-up Schemes and Fishers rights
The December Council on fisheries is coming up this month. Oliver asks Patrick what he would like to see Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine achieve at the negotiations. The Irish industry is in a time of crisis and needs someone to take a stand in the Council of Ministers. Will Charlie McConalogue by that Irish Minister who will change decades of tradition where the fishing industry walks away will less? Find out Patrick’s views.
The Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme. Ireland is the only EU member state that is looking to decommission its fleet. Will another round strengthen or destroy the Irish fishing industry? Will boat owners get what their vessels are worth and who is making the decisions on where the Irish fishing fleet is going?
The Voluntary Temporary Tie-up Scheme is already having a negative effect on the supply of fish in the country with prices rising for fish suppliers, Irish customers are paying more for over-the-counter fresh fish than they were this time last year. Some fish sellers don’t see a future in the industry and demonstrates the knock-on effect a decommissioning scheme will have on jobs and communities. Oliver and Patrick discuss the future for rural communities.
Another result of Brexit has been a higher allowance of quota in December, just when the Tie-up Scheme is in operation. Irish whitefish boats have lost out all year because there was no fixed fisheries agreement in place with the UK. Patrick explains what happens and refutes claims by the IFSA of where the blame lies.
The Atypical Work Scheme for non-EEA workers is still an issue for boat owners. Patrick calls it “entrapment” where owners are unable to win no matter what way they turn. He calls for the scheme to be overhauled so that migrant fishermen get treated fairly and with respect, and that boat owners can provide them with the same benefits that EU fishermen can avail off.
