Council motion supported to back Inshore Fishermen in Donegal
Cllr Noel Jordan brought forward motion at Donegal Municipal District meeting
Councillors of the Donegal Municipal District supported a motion to contact Minister Martin Heydon to support a scheme by the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association (NIFA) to support the Inshore Fishing Industry.
A motion was brought forward at October’s Donegal MD meeting by Cllr Noel Jordan, calling on Minister Heydon, as Minister of Agriculture and Marine, to support the document that the NIFA drew up to “save our Inshore Fishing Sector.” Cllr Niamh Kennedy supported his motion.
Cllr Jordan stated: “Commercial inshore fishing boats typically represent over 90% of the active Irish fleet, operate with a boat length that is less than 18m (with over 80% being less than 12m) and fish within 12 nautical miles (nm) of the coast using static gear such as pots, lines, and traps as well as towed gear.
“The sector has been experiencing difficulties for many years, some of which were clearly documented and reported on in the ‘Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023’ published by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
The importance of the sector to rural and coastal communities was also called out in this strategy report: ‘2018 finds the inshore sector in a very different space, its importance to coastal communities increasingly recognised by the state and EU”
Cllr Jordan continued, referencing the BIM report: “There is a need for longer-term thinking to safeguard the future of a sector which is so important to Irish coastal communities.”
Continuing his motion, Cllr Jordan stated: “At the time, the publication of the strategy was deemed a major milestone in the development of the Inshore Fisheries Forum Initiative, which was established in late 2014 to provide a platform for dialogue between the sector, the state and other stakeholders operating inside 12nm.
“The strategy set out the aspirations and objectives for the future of the sector and identified clear actions to be delivered.
“It also created a vision for the sector so that: ‘The Inshore Fisheries Sector would have a prosperous and sustainable future delivered through a united industry with a strong and influential voice.”
Cllr Jordan also highlighted a personal element to his motion, remembering that his father was an inshore fisherman who managed to sustain Cllr Jordan’s family.
He cited statistics that from January to mid-April 2026, the sea conditions, which also could increase the risk of gear damage and reduce overall catch efficiency, would convert to a loss of gross daily earnings of between €300 and €600 (as per the inshore fishing industry), totalling a loss of between € 27,000 and € 54,000 per vessel for a period of four and a half months.
Cllr Jordan said: “Unfortunately, remaining in port does not eliminate operational costs, as expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and loan repayments must still be met.”
An Inshore Sustainability & Resilience Scheme that was compatible with EU frameworks was highlighted, with the objective that the scheme would provide predictable, annual stabilisation support to inshore operators facing geopolitical, policy and market-driven income volatility.
The scheme’s structure would involve a fixed annual “resilience payment” of €20,000 per eligible vessel, paid annually in advance in January of each year, on a three-year renewable pilot starting with immediate effect, on the basis of rising costs, quota impact, seasonal instability in inshore fisheries, and species limitations.
Killybegs-based Cllr Niamh Kennedy seconded Cllr Jordan’s motion. She said: “They are great people and they work really hard to help their own fishing sector.
“They don’t seem to get very much out of anything. For one fisherman's job, there are seven jobs at home. Our coastal communities are totally relying on it.”
Cllr Kennedy highlighted the type of catch involved in inshore fishing, including bluefin tuna.
“Unless we can support these men and families going forward, we are not going to have this nice food on our plates.
“It is really a lifeline for all the coastal communities.”
An Executive response signed off by Brenda Hegarty of the Economic Development section of Donegal County Council said: “Subject to the motion being adopted, a letter will be issued to the Minister.”