Fahey in dispute with fishermen over new policy

A major rift has developed between the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, and the north-west fishing industry over a change in Government policy on the structure of the national fleet.

The Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation has informed its members in writing that a political decision taken by the Minister may have "huge implications" for the pelagic (mackerel/herring) sector - the most profitable sector of the fleet.

Mr Fahey has confirmed to The Irish Times that he made the decision against the advice of his own Department.

Other industry representatives have said the decision has caused "widespread confusion" around the coastline, and could jeopardise the future of the Government's whitefish renewal scheme, initiated by Mr Fahey's predecessor, Dr Michael Woods.

Mr Fahey told The Irish Times that a commitment given by him to a group of south-west fishermen late last month would allow them to purchase two vessels with both pelagic and whitefish capability. "I want to move ahead with modernisation of the fleet, including better safety provision, and if anyone is objecting to that, let them say so." Asked if he had overruled the advice of his Department officials, he said not a week went by that he would not differ from such advice, having listened to it carefully. "That applies to every minister," he added.

Up till now, the pelagic sector has been dominated by Killybegs - which pioneered the mackerel fishery - and purchase of new tank vessels had to be approved on the basis that equivalent tonnage was "scrapped" under EU fleet size restrictions.

Mr Fahey's decision may offer new opportunities to other ports to get involved, but could also upset the market for tonnage.

He said he gave a verbal commitment to several south-west owners to license two secondhand vessels in Sweden fitted with refrigerated salt water tanks rather than dry holds, without having to dispose of equivalent pelagic tonnage. The fitting would permit the vessels to land not only whitefish, but also Celtic Sea herring of higher quality.

The fishermen's organisation is understood to believe that the decision, taken at a meeting in the wake of the "tuna row" in Castletownbere, Co Cork, on July 20th, could cause unrest among north-west fishermen who opted for a Government whitefish fleet renewal scheme, and who did not have the flexibility of buying more profitable tank boats under fleet and quota restrictions.

Several owners in the southwest who bought second-hand vessels fitted with tanks were forced to decommission the fitting.

Mr Fahey said the vessels would target Celtic Sea herring, would not necessarily fish up the west coast, and the conditions would be subject to their current capability. They would also be subject to the "days at sea" restrictions introduced by the EU for such vessels.

The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources said yesterday that a number of applications for vessels of a "different configuration" had been received, but were still "under consideration".