Brussels and Dublin must listen to Irish Fishing Communities – MacManus 

The Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands North-West has hit out at Dublin and Brussels for their years of neglect of the Irish fishing industry. 

MacManus was speaking at the Irish Skipper Expo at the University of Limerick campus, which brought together industry stakeholders from across Ireland.

MacManus said:

“I was delighted to attend the Irish Skipper Expo and have the opportunity to engage with a number of fishing representative groups including Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) and National Inshore Fisherman Organisation (NIFO), the Irish South & West Fish Producers and so on. 

“The message I kept hearing from those in attendance at the Expo, was that Dublin and Brussels are not doing enough to ensure the survival of the Irish fishing sector. 

“The Irish fishing sector has taken real blows between Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. We need the Irish Government, and more specifically, the Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalouge, to stand up and demand improved fishing opportunities for our Fishing sector. 

“Among some of the solutions that exist for improved fishing opportunities are quotas for species that are new to our waters. The Irish Government needs to fight for Irish fishermen to have a quota for species like Bluefin tuna and sardines. ENDS