The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, today hosted a Brexit Fisheries Discussion in Galway as part of four days of marine themed events including the BIM National Seafood Conference and Seafest – Ireland’s national maritime festival. 

Minister Creed delivered the Discussion’s opening address which was followed by presentations by key European fisheries industry leaders - Niels Wichmann, Chair of the North Sea Advisory Council and Emiel Brouckaert, Chair of the North Western Waters Advisory Councils.

This was followed by a panel discussion focusing on the potential issues arising from Brexit for the seafood sector.  This panel comprised of Mr Wichmann and Mr Brouckaert along with representatives of the Irish Fishing Industry; Sean O’Donoghue of the KFO, Patrick Murphy of the IS&WFPO, Hugo Boyle of the ISEFPO and Lorcán Ó Cinnéide of the IFPEA.

Minister Creed said today that “The BIM National Seafood Conference and Seafest are about celebrating our marine resources and all the opportunities that they provide to us. As part of that awareness, we must now also consider what potential impacts Brexit will have on our sea fisheries industry. Today’s discussion was another highly valuable opportunity to engage with our fisheries stakeholders”.

The Minister went on to say that “The discussions today again highlighted the very real concerns of the fishing industry regarding the potential effects of Brexit.  I am very grateful to our presenters and panel members who have provided complex information in a very clear way.”

In his opening address Minister Creed spoke of the two key objectives – the maintenance of existing quota shares and existing rights of access. Minister Creed said that “Any attempts to restrict our existing rights and entitlements will be strenuously resisted and that is why I will be insisting that fisheries must form part of the wider trade negotiations.”

The Minister also spoke of his discussion with the EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnierwho, he said “clearly understands the issues and significance of Brexit for Ireland's fisheries sector.”

Minister Creed also emphasized that “it is vital that we all work together”. He said that “for Ministers to be effective, so that Heads of State and Government and Mr Barnier’s team understand and prioritise fisheries, it will be essential that we have a united fishing industry, both nationally and at European level.

Minister Creed concluded with the seanfhocal, “Ní neart go chur le chéile” – “There is strength in unity”.

*Note for Editors

Advisory Councils are formal EU representative bodies established under the Common Fisheries Policy for each of the main geographical areas or sectors. The North Western Waters Advisory Council represents industry and NGO’s primarily from Ireland, Spain, France, the UK and Belgium.  The North Sea AC represents industry and NGO’s from Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, France and the UK. As part of regional decision making Member States are obliged to consult with the Advisory Councils before submitting proposals for fisheries management to the E Commission.

To view this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 119/2017 (pdf 434Kb) 

Date Released: 29 June 2017