Saturday, 4 January 2014

Island Fishermen Keep Up the Fight for Their Rights


The Donegal Island Fishermen Group, which has a strong input from Arranmore Island fishermen, continue to work very hard and have been successful in the sense that legistation has been amended to the benefit of not just island fishermen, but to inshore fishermen all along the Donegal coast.

The island fishermen group was formed in 2006 prior to the banning of salmon fishing and the group lobbied hard to try and convince the various departments to overturn the goverments decision. The impact the of banning of salmon fishing cannot be underestimated and the group continue the fight which has lasted close on seven years. The group have made two separate presentations to the Joint Oireachtas Committee and are currently awaiting the draft report.

The Fishermen continue to be cautiously optimistic that a satisfactory conclusion will come out of the many years of hard work carried out by a few dedicated men. The issue of the ban on 'Area 6a' which effectively saw all the island boats having to target only two species - crab and lobster - has been relaxed. This relaxation of the rules has come about because of the persistence of the Islands committee, which has seen the group meet with MEPs from many countries. The group met with the European commissioner and again through hard work and countless hours of lobbying a very satisfactory amendment and commitment to sustain island life was introduced, which in the long term will have huge benefits to the Island.


We hope to be in a position to report on the findings of the Oireachtas Committee in the coming months.

Jerry Early, Spokesperson.

No comments:

Post a Comment