Over 1,000 fishermen and women have protested in Dublin today, over what have been described as "unbearable" fishing quotas post-Brexit.
A flotilla of 70 fishing trawlers took to the River Liffey today, before hundreds of members of the fishing community marched to the Convention Centre (where the Dáil is currently sitting).
Fishermen from Dunmore East to the Aran Islands were among those in attendance, with one Galway fisherman saying the current situation facing the industry "would have you in tears".
They’re protesting over the change in EU quotas as a result of Brexit, and say the voices of the fishing community can no longer be ignored.
23/06/2021 Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus), Ireland. Day 455 since start of lockdown. Day 45 of eased restrictions. Pictured are fishermen carrying signs and banners as they protest outside a meeting of the Dail in Dublin today, against a lack of support from the Irish government against the EU Common Fisheries Policy. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ieThe new deal - which has come into effect after the UK left the EU - will only allow Irish fishermen to catch 15% of the stock in Irish waters.
There are warnings the change could result in the loss of around 4,000 jobs in the sector.
Patrick Murphy - CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation - spoke to The Pat Kenny Show ahead of today’s protest.
23/06/2021 Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus), Ireland. Day 455 since start of lockdown. Day 45 of eased restrictions. Pictured are banners on trawlers on the River Liffey in Dublin this morning. Fishermen are protesting in Dublin today against a lack of support from the Irish government against the EU Common Fisheries Policy. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ieHe said: “The main thing that’s gone wrong is that we’ve been robbed - there’s no other way of describing what is after happening.
“We have the EU deciding that 20% of the fish that our fishermen depend on is being taken away from us, and being used as a bargaining chip.
“That 20% that we’ve lost is just unbearable, and is going to lead to many boats being scrapped and put out of business.”
He said that even the youngest members of the fishing community are struggling with the current situation, while there have also been extra problems due to bad weather and the COVID pandemic.
23/06/2021 Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus), Ireland. Day 455 since start of lockdown. Day 45 of eased restrictions. Pictured are trawlers on the River Liffey in Dublin this morning. Fishermen are protesting in Dublin today against a lack of support from the Irish government against the EU Common Fisheries Policy. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie
