Criticism of the EU's handling of the herring market and a comprehensive management review of the Celtic Sea fishery are the main findings of a Government task force report published yesterday.
The report, commissioned by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources following the collapse of the Asian export market for Irish herring, also recommends a £1 million training programme to improve catch and processing quality.
Expenditure of this nature will improve competitiveness, maintain jobs and develop market opportunities, the task force says, adding that a pelagic co-ordinator to handle markets for herring and mackerel should be appointed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
The report notes that a world oversupply of herring last year resulted in a market downturn and a consequent drop in prices. Exports of herring roe to Japan and of fillets to Europe were badly affected, and this was exacerbated by signs of long-term decline in the traditional consumer market for the fish.
The situation has been compounded by EU market support schemes and tariffs. The report said the EU should discontinue its autonomous tariff quota regime for herring imports for processing, given the glut. It also recommends the removal of the existing tariff barriers for EU fish exports to Poland.
The report says that a herring industry marketing group should be established, with BIM support. Although the Irish herring industry is a small producer, with trading and logistical disadvantages due to its peripheral position, the full potential of a collective approach to marketing is not being availed of, it notes.
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