Fishermen favour policy that will protect them against sell out of marine resources

EUROSCEPTICS may have injected some buzz into the British general election campaign, but they haven't made so much impact on this side of the Irish Sea. That's only because fishermen are out on the briny, according to the very vocal Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (IS&WFO) which warns that, the Government could be participating in yet another European auction" of Irish marine resources - and only a mere 10 days after the June 6th vote.

With so much Euromoney benefiting the economy here, industry representatives know they have to battle for the public's attention. Yet the EU Inter Governmental Conference (IGC) in Holland on June 16th-17th represents one of the last opportunities this century to effect any change in an inequitable Common Fisheries Policy, the IS&WEO says. It has written to all 235 TDs, MEPs and senators, stating as much, and has urged all fishing crews to stay in on Friday and vote.

"Free! Free! Free! Ireland's sea fisheries. Hurry, hurry, hurry while stocks last!" its flyer reads, reminding public representatives that European vessels take at least £2 billion worth of fish annually from Irish waters - an estimate based on legal and illegal landings. Late last year, the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Ms Emma Bonino, said the principle of "equal access to a common resource", which is at the heart of the problem, would remain until the next century, unless examined at the June IGC.

Three parties have acknowledged that it is a serious political issue, according to the IS&WFO - Fianna Fail, the Progressive Democrats and the Greens. These three were the only immediate respondents to a questionnaire sent to respective party leaders by the organisation shortly before the election was called.

The leaders were asked to state their views on two points: the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002, and a rebuilding of the decrepit Irish whitefish fleet, over 60 per cent of which is regarded as unfit to go to sea. Fine Gael replied belatedly through its director of elections and the Labour Party sent a brief response. The National Party also replied, but there was silence from Democratic Left, holder of a junior marine ministry.

That none of the three Government party heads took an active interest is because both the Taoiseach and Tanaiste are aware that some serious damage has already been done, the organisation believes. It occurred during the recent accession of new EU members, when a fishing permit system was introduced as part of the treaty terms.

"If this permit system is not dropped at the IGC in Amsterdam, this effectively rules out a fundamental fisheries policy review," Mr Tom Hassett, the IS&WFO's secretary, says. What, is even worse is that the EU Commission is under pressure to drop national quotas altogether, on the grounds of incompatibility with the principles of the Single Market and the free movement of capital.

The Minister for the Marine disputes this interpretation, but fishing skippers have good reason to be sceptical, given the mistakes made over the last 25 years. Fianna Fail, which was in government when EU accession was being brokered, virtually admitted culpability when its marine policy document was published earlier this month. "We won't fight an election by fighting in the past," its marine spokesman, Mr Michael Smith, TD, said, when he accepted that the original deal had been "very poor".

The Fianna Fail policy document may contain some flaws, such as promising to increase fish quotas, but it is the first serious attempt by a party to analyse the problem in an election campaign. Detailed commitments to increase investment in the industry, and to examine rebuilding the whitefish fleet, have been welcomed. Mr Smith's promise to establish a coastal zone management authority, and a new national fishery authority for inland waters, recognises the need to tackle domestic disputes.

The Progressive Democrats have targeted surveillance and control in their marine policy, which is less a document and more a combination of statements made by its TD for Galway West, Mr Bobby Molloy. Mr Molloy has called for an immediate injection of EU investment capital to upgrade the State's "maritime agency fleet". The party is also committed to renegotiating the EU fisheries agreement, and modernisation of the fleet.

Democratic Left's marine policy has earmarked fleet renewal as a priority, along with research and development, and an unspecified new approach" to EU fisheries management.

Labour "recognises the economic and employment potential" of the State's marine resources, and also promises a "vigorous" pursuit of increased fish stocks, while Fine Gael lists its top priority as support for the continuing EU Operational Programme for Fisheries.

The Green Party, whose MEP Ms Patricia McKenna, is on the European Parliament's fisheries committee, says that environmental considerations should underlie all developments. Its most specific plank is a full review of the aqua culture industry. Sinn Fein seeks a fundamental review of the EU arrangement, increased funding for fleet modernisation, and an effective policy of "flagships"

EU vessels which register in another member state to take advantage of that quota. The National Party takes a similar line.

And in Clare, the Christian Solidarity Party candidate, Mr Joe Aston, has said simply that the EU Common Fisheries Policy should be "scrapped".