It’s believed that Killybegs factories are facing greater oversight than supertrawlers in Irish waters, Donegal Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn told the Dáil.
The Sinn Féin marine spokesperson said that one rule seems to exist for major international players while Irish fishermen are subject to greater inspections.
Speaking to the Dáil yesterday, Deputy Mac Lochlainn urged officials to look into a recent whistleblower report in the Mail on Sunday, which alleges illegal activity by a Dutch vessel suspected of discarding fish. The ship was not detained by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, despite the reported recommendations of an onboard SPFA inspector.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said this represents unequal treatment: “Seafood factories in the likes of Killybegs that generated a huge number of jobs and significant wealth over the years face a very different type of oversight by the SFPA in comparison with these huge factory ships.
“There was a suspicion that on MVK Afrika, a huge factory ship, discards were being facilitated which is illegal under the common fisheries policy but it did not feel like a very strong approach was taken there in comparison to how a factory here in Ireland would be treated. I ask that this be looked at.”
The Donegal deputy also raised concerns for the pelagic industry, particularly regarding mackerel.
“Right now, Norway, the Faroe Islands and the UK have come together to do a deal that rewards practices that are not recognising the science. We need to have a look at that. There is a need for us to stand together and demand that Norway and the Faroe Islands fish fairly, the same as everybody else. Mackerel is a migratory species and it needs to be respected across all waters.”
