DCon
14-06-2011, 07:59 AM
Shocking, this
Irish fishermen are being forced to dump millions of euro worth of cod because of quota limits that will not allow them to land their catch.
An explosion in cod numbers in the Celtic Sea has astonished both fishermen and marine scientists but bumper catches are now benefiting only French and British trawler operators.
Such has been the inexplicable recovery in cod numbers off the Wexford, Waterford and Cork coasts that even amateur day-trip anglers are now catching prime cod.
However, the recovery in numbers of one of the most valuable fish available to Irish fishermen has proved hugely frustrating for operators.
While French and British boats are savouring their best catches in 25 years, Irish fishermen have no option but to dump valuable catches once tight quota limits are exceeded.
Ireland is allocated just 15pc of the allowable cod catch in the Celtic Sea -- with the lion's share going to France and Britain. Spain has only a tiny portion.
"It really has underlined how restrictive the quota regime can be," FIF chairman Sean O'Donoghue explained.
"The fish numbers are there, the fishermen are able to catch them but they simply cannot land them."
Mr O'Donoghue pointed out cod could not be specifically targeted as it was caught in nets along with other species which operators may be fishing for.
But once a boat has reached its cod quota, the operators have no option but to dump fish or risk fines if caught landing them ashore.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/irish-fishermen-forced-to-dump-millions-in-cod-overboard-16011161.html#ixzz1PEdNhSgW
Irish fishermen are being forced to dump millions of euro worth of cod because of quota limits that will not allow them to land their catch.
An explosion in cod numbers in the Celtic Sea has astonished both fishermen and marine scientists but bumper catches are now benefiting only French and British trawler operators.
Such has been the inexplicable recovery in cod numbers off the Wexford, Waterford and Cork coasts that even amateur day-trip anglers are now catching prime cod.
However, the recovery in numbers of one of the most valuable fish available to Irish fishermen has proved hugely frustrating for operators.
While French and British boats are savouring their best catches in 25 years, Irish fishermen have no option but to dump valuable catches once tight quota limits are exceeded.
Ireland is allocated just 15pc of the allowable cod catch in the Celtic Sea -- with the lion's share going to France and Britain. Spain has only a tiny portion.
"It really has underlined how restrictive the quota regime can be," FIF chairman Sean O'Donoghue explained.
"The fish numbers are there, the fishermen are able to catch them but they simply cannot land them."
Mr O'Donoghue pointed out cod could not be specifically targeted as it was caught in nets along with other species which operators may be fishing for.
But once a boat has reached its cod quota, the operators have no option but to dump fish or risk fines if caught landing them ashore.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/irish-fishermen-forced-to-dump-millions-in-cod-overboard-16011161.html#ixzz1PEdNhSgW