Ritchie seeks whitefish stocks resolution

The SDLP representative said the fishing industry is a central pivot to the local economy of the County Down fishing ports of Ardglass and Kilkeel.

She explained: “Whilst there has been good news in respect of the prawn (nephrops) quota allocation for the Irish Sea and local fishermen, a resolution for Irish Sea cod remains elusive, and so far government departments and the European Commission have failed to address the need to allow this sector of the fishing industry to grow with proper quota allocations for fish species within that sector such as Cod, Haddock and Sole.

“2016 marks the 17th consecutive year for the closed period for Irish Sea cod which places a limitation and burden on fishing effort on the part of our local whitefish sector – both off-shore catch and on-shore processing sector. This matter now requires resolution by the European Commission to allow further growth in our local economy.

“With respect to the Cod species, given the recent European Court of Justice ruling about previous Council decisions in respect of the Long Term Cod Recovery Plan, it is clear that the Plan will need to be at least replaced or at best scrapped during the course of this year – a timetable that is subject to co-decision making between the EU’s institutions. Since 1999, the Irish Sea Cod quota allocation (TAC) has been cut by 97%.

“Evidence from the fishery remains contrary to the science. There is a great deal of frustration as to how the issues surrounding cod are being dealt with. Again, the ICES Ecosystem initiative provided some hope, although seems to have stalled. There is a need for immediate clarification from the DARD Minister, EFRA Fisheries Minister and the European Commission on what is happening with the ICES Irish Sea Ecosystem Project, ICES benchmarks for Irish Sea stocks and the Irish Sea cod tagging project.

“With respect to Haddock it is documented that the European Commission and the Council of Ministers understand that the assessment model for this fish species in the Irish Sea is no longer fit for purpose. They encourage ICES to make every effort to find a suitable solution at the upcoming ICES benchmark in 2016.

“In relation to Sole in the Irish Sea, the assessment is primarily informed by a single scientific survey, and it has been identified that the survey coverage may not be fully representative of the stock distribution. This issue is currently under scientific examination. There needs to be a resolution to the assessment for Sole.

“Questions have now to be asked – should the closed period now be scrapped and a concentration needs to be placed on the further development and growth of the whitefish sector in the Irish Sea. No longer can this sector or those involved in it be the sacrificial lamb of the fishing industry as we pursue the ultimate goal of mixed fisheries management.

“I have requested a meeting with the DEFRA Minister for Fisheries in London, George Eustice MP, and have also made representations to the DARD Minister urging that a resolution is found to this matter to ensure the re-emergence of the whitefish sector in the Irish Sea which would in turn help the further growth in the local economies of Ardglass and Kilkeel.”