Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has called on the government to set a policy that protects local fishermen’s ability to land and process Blue Whiting for human consumption.
He made the call after last weekend’s decision to carry out a pierside monitor on a landing of 750 metric tonnes that was destined for fish processing in one of Killybegs’ factories.
Due to the potential loss of fish quality, Deputy Gallagher said, the landing had to go to fish meal production instead.
“This cost up to 50 factory workers a weekend of employment and lost the factory a valuable export order,” he said.
“It is morally wrong in the current climate to be committing perfectly good food into fish meal when markets are crying out for fish.”
Deputy Gallagher added, due to the restricted working hours applied over the weekend, another Blue Whiting landing refused to come to Killybegs due to the fact that the Fishery Harbour Centre closed at 6 pm.
“This is the only harbour in western Europe that works office hours,” he said.
“This is due in large part to the working hours adopted by the SFPA.”
He said Ireland has led the world in developing the blue whiting for human consumption in recent years.
“We pioneered this fishery and now, due to the recent carryon over the past three years, we are destroying our own success. There is no excuse at any State agency, fish must be landed and quality protected and that clearly was not possible this weekend.”
Two weeks prior to this landing, Deputy Gallagher said another landing of blue whiting was being monitored on the pier when part of it had to be diverted to fish meal: “due to the system having broken down due to the massive pressures of trying to physically undertake a water separation on the pierside.”
Blue whiting is a particularly difficult fish to handle, he continued, it is soft and vulnerable while being very heavy and severe on equipment.
“Last weekend’s events in Killybegs once again puts focus on how this Port is being managed by the competent authority and the State cannot stand over the decisions taken, therefore action needs to be taken to safeguard employment in the area, support businesses that are under massive pressures and protect the ability for Ireland to development a crucially important fishery such as Blue Whiting.”
Deputy Gallagher said he will raise the issue with the Marine Minister, Timmy Dooley.
Tags:
