The Minister for the Marine, Pat the Cope Gallagher, has called for the establishment of a major new European-wide marine research plan to improve the fuel efficiency of fishing vessels.
The Minister made his call during an EU Fisheries Council debate in Brussels today on the economic difficulties faced by the EU Fisheries industry from increased fuel costs prices and declining fish stocks.
"We cannot assume that fuel prices will fall back to early 2004 levels; in fact we must assume that high fuel prices are here to stay. For this reason, we are calling for the urgent initiation of a major new marine research programme to drive the development of energy efficiency in the fishing industry.
There are technical innovations that can be developed to reduce the energy costs and to maintain the economic viability of the fishing industry," continued Minister Gallagher. Minister Gallagher proposed that the Commission proposals currently being drafted for the 7th Framework Programme on Research should contain a high level of marine research funding.
This would enable the new marine research programme to lead and roll-out cutting edge developments of eco-friendly engines and fishing gears across the fishing industry. However, Commissioner Borg did not make any additional funding available for short-term measures, such as the temporary tie-up of fishing vessels.
Minister Gallagher said that within the constraints on funding available at a national level, he is looking urgently at the potential to support the introduction of more energy efficient and sustainable fishing gears for the whitefish fleet under the programme for innovation and sustainability in the fishing industry.
The Minister also said he would be examining the feasibility of a number of other measures including temporary tie-