ESRI criticised for its `negative' stance on marine resources

The Economic and Social Research Institute has been criticised for its "negative attitude" to the development of marine resources. The criticism comes in a report which calls for a doubling of annual State investment in the sector.

The report, prepared by a Government review group chaired by former IDA chief Mr Padraic White, says that annual public sector investment of £28 million in the sea fishing industry over the next seven years would be justified on socio-economic and regional development grounds.

EU and State expenditure is currently £12.5 million annually and represents only 1 per cent of EU structural funds.

The report is the first compiled by the National Common Fisheries Policy Review Group, established last year by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods. It has been charged with preparing the State's strategy towards review of the controversial EU fisheries policy in 2002.

Mr White said he had only recently come to focus on the seafood industry but was struck by the "reservoir of public and political goodwill" towards it.

"People get passionate about the degree that we have to share the fish in our territorial waters with others. They identify with the hard life of fishermen and periodic tragedies at sea. The health-conscious consumer is increasingly eating fish and has the highest confidence in the quality of Irish fish.

"We must turn that goodwill and the inherent strengths of the case into a satisfactory commitment by the Government to the seafood industry in its plans for the years to 2006. With the undoubted commitment of Minister Woods, I am very hopeful that we will succeed."

Mr White said his members were committed to significant expansion of the industry over the next seven years. The value of fish processed in Irish factories could be increased by 75 per cent to some £370 million, and exports could grow by 66 per cent, also to £370 million.

Regional jobs in the seafood industry deserved special attention in the Government's forthcoming National Development Plan. He said jobs in an industry supporting 25,000 people could expand by up to 20 per cent, echoing the recommendations of the recent seafood industry agenda for 20002006 published by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

In recommending large-scale structural assistance for the fishing industry, the report says the strong interest in the Government's £70 million whitefish renewal scheme reflects a spirit of enterprise and a skill base which can capitalise on opportunities.

It focuses on a recent ESRI recommendation that the industry should get less State support and picks apart this view point by point.

Taking a global approach, it notes that the seafood industry has to grow in response to rising demand. A production of over eight million tonnes of fish in 1995, from both fisheries and aquaculture, means that the EU is the third-largest fishing power after China and Peru.

Yet, while 1.6 million tonnes of fish products were exported, some 4.3 million tonnes had to be imported to meet EU needs, representing a deficit of over 6.5 billion ECUs in 1995.

The review group says that the State is well positioned to capitalise on this growing global market opportunity, as it has 13 per cent of the EU's maritime territory. Acknowledging the restrictions in current total allowable catches, it notes the opportunities for catching non-quota species, such as black scabbard, blue link and grenadiers. These species have established themselves on the French and German markets.

"Our offshore crab fishery, the entire inshore sector, the application of aquaculture techniques in the enhancement of inshore fisheries all offer potential for development," the review group says. It gives the industry a vote of confidence in terms of ability to deliver.

Dr Woods said he welcomed the report's publication and forecast that it would be a "key input" into the fisheries element of the National Development Plan.