EU capitulates to Fishermen - again

Thursday December 22, 2005 16:12

by John McGowan

Announcements of cuts in fishery quotas for cod, haddock and other species by the EU today were condemned by both environmentalists and the industrial fishing lobby. But the cuts represent another cowardly capitulation to the corporate sector - here represented by fishermen.

Today's small cuts will do little to stop the huge decline in fish populations in EU waters. The increase in quotas for Prawn, presented as a concession to fishermen to soften other blows, will speed up the depletion of a hugely important fodder species essential for the survival of salmon and many other species.
Fishermen are portrayed in the media as ruddy faced men with battered little trawlers ekeing out a livng on windswept coastlines. But in the EU this is a massive distortion of the truth. In Ireland (and the EU) fishing is a huge corporate sector, heavily subsidised, which frequently flouts environmental regulations.
All sides agree that once common species such as cod need to be saved from the rapacious 'factory ships'. Today's cuts help nobody and illustrate the weakness of the EU. The cuts were condemned by politicians across Ireland who (The Greens aside) view them as another attack on the fishermen. But unless soemthing serious is done soon there will be no longer be a fishing industry to save.

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Comments (2 of 2)

A case study in bad journalism

by Michael

Fri Dec 23, 2005 13:02

Anyone watch RTE news last night, or any other day when reporting the issue of quotas and Irish fisheries? On the 9 o'clock news they interviewed: (a) The Minister Pat the coop Galagher, plus (b) a few fisheries reps to say how great the minister is.

I counted a total of two references to the environment or environmental concerns: One was the Minister saying that he himself is an environmentalist (which went unchallenged, and sure why not?), plus an aside by the RTE reporter about what environmentalists may say about quotas and fish stocks.

Hoover fishing

by John Mc Dermott - www.fiannafail.biz

Sun Jan 08, 2006 20:44

Spain

The E.E.U.also throws a million euros or two into the swiss banks of every corrupt dictator/government with coastal waters along the african continent.In return fishing rights are obtained for the huge irish and spanish factory ships which hoover everything before them and destroy the fishing in these seas,irrevocably,ruining the livelihood of the villagers who live along the coastline.Some of these boats are based in Donegal,where fishermen have cheated ,and abused,the local quota system for years .
Soon the wild salmon will be gone.Then Fianna Fail will buy out the useless fishing licences for a small fortune.

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EU capitulates to Fishermen - again

Comments (2 of 2)