Presentation to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital

By Noel Mc Donagh, Chairman of F.L.A.G for the South East of Ireland and Founder of Last.ie

14.05.2014

Agenda

Introduction

Industry Challenges

Why Has This Happened?

What Needs to Change?

Final Thoughts

Céad míle fáilte, a chairde

Introduction – My Background

Event Year

Born – Fishing background 1944

Started fishing 1959

Merchant Navy 1961

Returned fishing 1964

Diving career 1968

Bought first trawler 1970

Opened outdoor store 1983

Retired…… 2009

Farnet/ F.L.A.G.S 2012

Founded L.A.S.T 2013

“Carrying a basket of salted herrings in Dunmore East Dec 1959”

Introduction – Dunmore East

Population 1,795 people (CSO 2011)

Coastal fishing village in County Waterford – South East of Ireland

Main incomes are fishing and tourism

One of the largest and oldest fishing harbours in Ireland and Europe

Introduction – Dunmore East

Dunmore East June 1900

Introduction – Dunmore East

Dunmore East June 1920

Industry Challenges – The Stats

Fishing Industry Statistic Ireland 1960 Ireland 2013

Average fatalities in the workplace x4 x40

Normal fishing day per boat 12 hours 24 hours

Normal fishing week per boat 5 days 7 days

Normal fishing year per boat (under 45 ft) 6 months 12 months

Lobster creels/pots per boat (under 45 ft) 90 800

Number of crew per boat (under 45 ft) 3-4 1-2

Metres of fishing nets per boat (under 45 ft) 800 mts 16,000 mts

*Stats from HSA Ireland and LAST.ie

Industry Challenges – Closure of Fisheries

Lack of management led to closures of salmon, eel , bass, mussel, cockle and herring fishing in key ports across country.

This led to several issues in these coastal villages including:

An increase in drownings

Overfishing

Anti-social lifestyles

Depression

Suicide

Why Has This Happened?

Overfishing on certain species by both Irish and European boats in Irish waters have reduced the volume of fish attainable and tonnage per catch.

Less fish available has caused fishermen to take more risks in order to obtain a sustainable catch. This means fishermen are now required to go out in worse weather than they would have previously.

Fishermen are now also required to work longer hours, and spend more time at sea-which increases fatigue and concentration lapses which can be fatal.

Due to the absence of clear management structures, traditional fisheries have effectively been closed and local fishermen's livelihoods put at risk- forcing them to social welfare.

Overarching issue is a lack of an efficient management structure in regional fishing ports across the country. This has largely been ignored by the Irish Government and European Union.

What Needs to Change?

More attentiveness and responsibility needs to be taken by the Irish Government and European Union to address the gradual collapse of traditionally Ireland’s oldest and most important industry.

Increased communication by boards of control with fishing stakeholders and cross-dialogue and agreement used to inform future planning and control.

Effective management solutions need to be put in place in regional ports across the country to ensure tighter control of regulations, replenishment of stocks and resumption of responsible, sustainable fishing.

More attention and consideration needs to be paid to the dangerous conditions undertaken by fishermen every day, and contingency plans put in place to support and help fishing families who are struck by tragedy: http://www.last.ie

Final Thoughts

“Always listen to a fool for you never know what you might learn.”

“Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”