A Kerry county councillor wants immediate financial supports for fishermen following swingeing cuts to Ireland's fish quota.
In December, it was announced that the EU's AgriFish Council (Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers) had approved a dramatic reduction of Ireland’s total allowable catches for the most important commercial fish stock, and the scrapping of the Hague Preference.
Councillor Tommy Griffin told the recent full Kerry County Council meeting that the sector is facing extinction and will not be able to survive this 33% cut in quotas.
Cllr Griffin said fishermen need immediate financial support.
He agreed with a motion by Councillor Robert Brosnan calling for the decision to be appealed to European Court of Justice, but said this won't put money into the pockets of fishermen this year.
Cllr Griffin said the fishing industry needs immediate support, and that the government must stand by its fishermen, as, he said, it did by its farmers in the Mercosur deal.
Councillor Angie Baily added that there is a massive issue with food security and food sustainability.
She said that when Ireland’s fish and fishing rights are gone, they’re gone.
