EU Fishing Quota Agreement Deemed “Catastrophic” for Irish Industry

Fishing organisations have described the outcome of the EU fishing quota agreement for next year as “catastrophic” for the Irish industry.

EU member states reached an agreement in Brussels on fishing opportunities for 2026 in the early hours of this morning,following the december meeting of the Agri-Fish Council.

Seafood Ireland Alliance, a coalition of major fishing and processing bodies, has said the industry will have approximately 57,000 tonnes less quota to fish next year.

The alliance said it is facing a quota reduction to the value of €94 million and a possible loss of €200m when processing, logistics, and export value are included, which could impact 2,300 jobs in coastal communities.

Minister of State for Fisheries and the marine Timmy Dooley said the outcomes will result in severely reduced fishing opportunities next year.

Mr. Dooley said the scientific advice upon which the decisions were based reflects the impact of overfishing of the mackerel stock by certain third countries.

“A 70% drop in the total allowable catch for mackerel is compounded by a 41% reduction in blue whiting and a 22% reduction in boarfish,” he stated.

“Ireland has consistently called for action against those countries who overfish mackerel.

“Given that Ireland holds the largest share of EU quota for mackerel in the western waters area, the devastating impact of the decline in this stock will be acutely felt,” Mr.Dooley said.

Mr.Dooley said the Government has called for the EU to send a clear message that actions that threaten the sustainability of shared stocks are not acceptable.

Hague Preferences Blocked

mr. Dooley expressed his “extreme disappointment” at a group of member states who chose to block the implementation of the ‘Hague preferences’ for next year.

The Hague preference is a longstanding provision within the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy that grants Ireland a larger share of certain stocks when total allowable catches fall below a specific level.

It is a protection mechanism for the Irish fishing industry that was introduced in 1976 to account for ireland’s underdeveloped fleet and to counter the impact of access to Irish waters provided to vessels of other EU nations.

Mr.Dooley said: “Regrettably,a group of member states chose to block the invocation of The Hague preferences this year.”

“The consequences will be catastrophic”

The Seafood Ireland Alliance said the deal was “a betrayal of Ireland’s fishing industry”.

The alliance accused member states and the European Commission of having reneged on commitments in the Common Fisheries Policy designed to protect Ireland’s reliance on fishing.

Aodh O’D