Dutch registered Super-Trawler SCH81 CAROLIEN is fishing off the coast of Arranmore Island.
The issue of Pelagic Super-Trawlers fishing off the coast of Donegal – has raised its ugly head again much to the annoyance of local fishermen in the locality.
The Dutch registered vessel SCH81 CAROLIEN is the latest in a long line of Pelagic Super-Trawlers to fish off the coast of Donegal.
The FV MARGIRIS spent weeks trawling off the coast of Donegal and that particular incident sparked an online petition which received over 200,000 thousand signatures.
Local fishermen were disgusted at the EU regulations and law that allowed these super-trawlers to hoover fish stocks off the Donegal coast – while they were prohibited from doing so – which has threatened their way of life.
The issue gained national recognition and Islands Spokesperson Jerry Early highlighted the injustice on The Pat Kenny Show – and eloquently explained the suffering being experienced by local fishermen, and said the time for talking was over – and it was now a time for action.
The claims were refuted by the President of the Pelagic Freezer-Trawler association who said no rules had been broken and that all trawlers were fishing professionally, ethically, and legally.
Gerard Van Balsfoort said, “Pelagic fishing trawlers in Irish waters have caused some controversy in the media and online over recent weeks and I feel obliged to react to the ill-informed and melodramatic way this has been reported.
“The vessels in question are part of the larger EU pelagic fleet that consists of trawlers flagged in Ireland, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Germany.
“These vessels do not operate uncontrolled or unregulated as many have claimed, but only catch what is allocated to them by their respective EU Member States in the context of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).”
This latest Dutch trawler now hovering up stock off the Donegal coast is expected to cause more anger among the local fishing community in Donegal again – as claims for the government to intervene and do something about it continue to fall on deaf ears.
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