GALWAYBAY INSHORE FISHERMANS ASSOCIATION

My name is Patrick Mullins, I am PRO of Galway Bay Inshore Fisherman’s Association, and I am here today with my colleague Gerry Sweeney to speak on their behalf.

Galway Bay Fisherman’s Association was set up six years ago to protect the interests of fishermen working in GalwayBay and along the Clare coast. We have approximately thirty three members, the majority fulltime fishermen, our experience ranges over thirty years.

The main fisheries in GalwayBay are: Lobster, Shrimp, Velvet Crab, Brown Crab and Scallop.

We are working with BIM, the Marine Institute and SFPA for long term sustainability,

Our organisation has agreed to regulate the season for the shrimp fishery in GalwayBay, for example due to a poor season, last years shrimp fishery was not opened until 1st October instead of 1st September.

We have a very successful V notching programme and at the moment we are working towards introducing a pot limit.

As you are aware, the past winter storms have been horrendous, they have had a detrimental effect on GalwayBay and the ClareCoast.

We have suffered huge damage to our fishing gear with a loss of a large amount of pots, wear and tear of fishing gear that was recovered, rope damage, plus loss of earnings.

The replacement cost of gear is excessive at a time when the fishing industry, especially inshore boats is having a tough time surviving.

The previous two seasons have already been very poor due to Red Tide and severe easterly winds causing a reduction in fishing.

While we acknowledge that a package has been offered to us we feel that it is not adequate to cover even partial cost of replacement of gear.

The process of application is very complicated and could have been better facilitated by using BIM Area Officers who already work with the Bone Fide Fishermen in their area.

As Inshore Fisherman’s Groups, we have never applied for or received state compensation. However, the constant storms of this winter have given us no chance to earn a living and now we find it impossible to replace damaged and lost gear.

Without a more suitable package being made available, a lot of small sustainable fishing communities throughout Ireland will find it impossible to survive. The businesses that derive an income from the inshore fishing industry will also be affected.

Thank You