A tough few years lie ahead for the fishing industry but there is now at least a glimmer of hope that the problem of declining fish stocks can be turned around, according to the new Donegal Person of the Year, Joey Murrin of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation.
Murrin, who started off working on the boats out of Killybegs in the 1950s, has been arguing for the rights of fishermen since the time of the EEC entry negotiations. He has been chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO) for more than 20 years and is known for his tough talking and direct approach. Strongly critical of the "raw deal" membership of the EU has dealt the industry in Ireland, he has unleashed his anger at successive governments.
In paying tribute recently to former Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, Murrin said his performance would have to be judged on those of the 13 others who preceded him "and most of these are best forgotten".
Since it was set up in 1979 the KFO, an officially recognised producer body under EU rules, now accounts for one third of the landings of the Irish fishing fleet and represents members from Donegal to Galway.
Murrin says he is confident that Ireland's quota of 70,000 tonnes of pelagic species (mackerel and herring) will increase again this year based on the latest scientific assessment of stocks.
"I was always the first to be sceptical when people said there were plenty of mackerel in the sea, but everybody is in agreement now that stocks are being rejuvenated."
This, he says, is proof that conservation measures are having an effect, and if it can work for mackerel, it can work for other species.
One of the main factors, he believes, in turning around the situation was the removal from the waters of eastern European vessels, which were taking spawning mackerel. He says he now believes the quota will be increased to 100,000 tonnes this year.
An increase in the pelagic fish quota would mean a lot to Donegal, in particular the 2,000-plus people who rely on fish processing for work.
"With the very stringent controls over the past three years, the factories may not be getting the product to keep them going at the levels of previous years. But with the evidence of stock recovery, I wouldn't be as pessimistic as the processors. If we get an increase in the quota this year, the factories should also see an upturn."
A member of the national review body drawing up proposals for the renegotiation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy, he wants to see tougher conservation measures but is sceptical that they will be accepted, given that "a lot of those voting are fishing in our back garden".
He believes that in the EU, politics often comes before conservation and he says Ireland has only three votes out of 87. "I feel the atmosphere is right, now, for these proposals to be put forward and then we will see who are the hypocrites regarding conservation."
He believes, however, that there is a greater willingness in the fishing industry throughout the EU now to take tougher measures to tackle the problem of declining stocks.
"Fishermen throughout the community have to be honest with themselves and accept there are going to be a few tough years ahead, but there is no gain without pain. There is no doubt fishermen are suffering pain at the moment, but I am more heartened now than I was two or three years ago."
Back in Killybegs, Murrin is pleased with the £20 million development of the harbour which has now started. This, along with the Whitefish Renewal Scheme, which will bring 30 new whitefish boats into the fleet, was one of the main reasons Murrin, who once ran in the European elections for Fine Gael, was able to praise Dr Woods on his departure.
The new whitefish boats will allow fishermen "to go further and wider to make a better living for themselves", and he says that it is "only because of technology and price levels" that many fishermen have managed to keep going in the current difficult times.
He dismisses any begrudgery or mention of "millionaires' row" in Killybegs, saying such success has been blown out of proportion. People "who went out and competed and invested" deserve their rewards.
"When we joined the EU we were supposed to die and go away, but we have shown we can compete with the Dutch and French - we had to fight for our industry. If we hadn't the boats, who would be catching that 70,000 tonnes of mackerel?"
If people elsewhere had taken the same approach, "there could be five Killybegs along the west coast", he says. While others are now suggesting that Killybegs' future lies in it being tied in with oil and gas exploration off the west coast, Murrin says he sees no reason why the port can't serve both functions. "They can both thrive side by side. I am confident we can all live together in harmony and that Killybegs in the future will be a vibrant port giving employment to the local community."
But for how much longer will he stay at the helm of the KFO? "I'll be around for a little while longer anyway, but I am not going to go on forever. I'd like to see how somebody else would do the job."