GALWAY BAY 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 Galway Bay 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 Galway Bay 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
Galway Bay, 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 Galway Bay and the Clare Coast.
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