Protest by Irish Fishermen on the Liffey today

dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | news report

Friday February 03, 2006 14:32

by Michael

A protest by Irish fishermen is currently (Friday Feb 3rd 1pm) taking place on the Liffey by the IFSC in Dublin. A whole fleet of trawlers are currently on the Liffey making a racket with their horns. They are protesting over a new Sea Fisheries Maritime Jurisdiction Bill currently before the Dáil. Among the proposals int the new bill is an amendment to allow the Irish Navy open fire on trawlers, who disobeyed instructions. This has since been scrapped but there are many other amendments before the Dail which challenge the rights of these workers. See below for further details:-

Fishermen won’t be codded

A NUMBER of amendments are to be made to the new Sea Fisheries Maritime Jurisdiction Bill currently before the Dáil.The amendments come after Howth fishermen expressed serious concerns over certain points contained in the Bill. Among the amendments that have been scrapped are a proposal to allow the Irish Navy open fire on trawlers, who disobeyed instructions, and a proposal that would allow for fishing boats to be forfeited when repeat offences occur at sea. A spokesperson for Howth fishermen described the proposals as “nonsensical and unworkable”. “Fishermen are at least happy that these ridiculous proposals have been removed,” he said. “They are also very aware however, that this Government isn't very marine minded and legislation like this, if introduced, would cause an insurrection in the fishing industry.” Meanwhile, a proposal concerning graduating fines based on the size of a vessel is to be taken into account under the new legislation.

To ensure fairness and proportionality, the package of amendments submitted will significantly graduate the maximum fine applicable based on the size of the vessel.
The Marine Minister also has plans to introduce a new independent authority to oversee the fishing industry. The plan has been warmly welcomed by Howth fisherman Brian Doyle. “That's as long as fishermen have a direct input into it,” he said. “Fishermen need to have a direct say in the workings of their industry,” he said. “I would also see a role for Fingal County Council and the Fingal Enterprise Development Board in the establishment of the new authority.” According to the Department of the Marine, the new authority will be wholly independent of the department and legally charged with the State's sea fisheries law enforcement functions. Dublin North East TD Martin Brady (FF) said he will be studying the minister's proposals on the issue and will discuss them further with fishing representatives and those who operate boats out of Howth. “I have been given assurances that a system will be put in place to ensure that all sectors of the fishing industry will have an input into the new independent authority,” he said.

Dublin People:-

http://www.dublinpeople.com/cms/index.php?option=com_co...id=49

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Comments (1 of 1)

For what "offences" would the boats be confiscated ?

by R. Isible

Fri Feb 03, 2006 18:45

Fishermen sound like ordinary joes doing a hard job, but the reality is that most people that are left in the game are in effect the owners of floating factories that cost millions of euros. The overfishing and mismanagement of the fisheries can be laid not just at the door of an ineffective government, but also at the door of the very rich boat owners that have been making out like bandits over the past 20 years. If the "offences" referred to in the article include catching below-size fish then the fishermen can go jump in the sea as far as I'm concerned.

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Protest by Irish Fishermen on the Liffey today

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