Fishermen need support and clarity on landing obligations

Speaking in Strasbourg, where she addressed the European Parliament, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South Liadh Ní Riada spoke on the proposals for the landing obligations and its implications.

Ní Riada, who is the only Irish member of the EU Fisheries Committee, said;

“Although the landing obligations alongside the Baltic multi-annual plan can be of potential environmental benefit, it is still of paramount importance to not neglect the socio-economic factors and possible negative impact this will have on small fishermen.

“I also have serious concerns about any European blanket implementation of intrusive monitoring of fishermen, the Commission’s agenda for example is the introduction of a system where remote electronic monitoring is forced upon small fishermen. This approach needs to be revised as it operates under a presumption of guilt.

“Today I stressed to the European Parliament that the reality at home is that many, if not most, small fishermen will struggle to adapt to such changes if blindly enforced without regard for their welfare.

“Any inevitable implementation of landing obligations must be done gradually to accommodate fishermen.

“The landing obligations are very comprehensive and so our fishermen must be given all the supports and clarification they need.”