SDLP South Down MP Eddie McGrady speaking in the House of Commons (Tuesday 1^st December) warned that fishing quota cuts and restrictions imposed by Europe could cost jobs in Northern Ireland.

Speaking during the annual fisheries debate in Westminster Mr McGrady said it was time the Northern Ireland fishing industry had a robust and representative voice around the negotiating table.

In response to the MP for South Down‘s call that the UK Minister ensure that the Prawn Quota for the Co. Down Fishing Fleet was a priority for the negotiating teams at Brussels, the MP received assurances from the UK Minister Huw Irranca-Davis that this would be the case.

The MP for South Down said:

“The fishing industry makes a large scale contribution to my constituency. It currently employs approximately 1,200 people, contributing around £100 million per annum to the local economy.

“The bulk of employment from the fishing Industry comes from the Prawn/Nephrops sector, with 90% of the fleet fishing for Prawns. This is a direct result on yearly purges on the Cod quota resulting in an overall cut in cod quota to date of 84%. Only 6 Boats in the Northern Ireland Fleet fish for Cod.

“However this change in dynamic has not been recognised by Europe and they have a proposed cut of 30% on the Irish Sea Prawn Quota. To put this into context, as to how it will impact on the overall economy in Northern Ireland, last year with an increase in the Haddock quota by 15% and a cut in the prawn quota of only 2% the  loss in value of shellfish landed into Northern Ireland during 2009 was estimated at £2 million .

“With the projected figure of 30% cut in Prawns for this year that financial loss to the economy of Northern Ireland will be well over £2 million. Further to this on a practical level it is estimated that a cut of 30% in the quota could result in the closure of at least one of our processing factories and the loss of 200 jobs.

“Since 1999 the European Commission has cut the Cod Quota by 84%, the whiting quota by 95% and the plaice quota by 96%, with further reductions proposed on the existing quotas of 25% on Cod and Plaice and 30% on prawns we have to ask ourselves the question, who is acting to protect the interests of the Northern Ireland Fishing industry.

“Each year the actual cuts are either what was proposed in October of that year or very slightly below. It would appear that Northern Ireland’s negotiating powers are weak.

“There is a firm belief within the Industry that the reason for this is due to the fact that Northern Ireland does not hold a place at the negotiating table in its own right. The needs of the Northern Ireland industry differ from that of the UK fleets, and we need to be able to represent those vital needs without bias. For example even though we account for the majority of the UK Prawn quota, catching around 7,000 tonnes from the Irish Sea, which in turn supports 90% of our fleet, we are subject to the one vote of the DEFRA Minister based in Whitehall.

“The result of this is that each year, with the cuts and restrictions that come from the Negotiating Rounds in Brussels, the continuing decline of the fishing industry along the Northern Ireland Coast is inevitable.

“This situation must be resolved and parity of representation given to our fishing fleet. I would ask for a commitment to engage with the European Commission and the Northern Ireland Executive, and begin talks to bring about a fair playing field for the Northern Ireland fishing industry.”