Fears and concerns for the fishing industry in Donegal

A recent report from An Bord Bia has ignited waves within the fishing communities amidst concerns of a further decline in the sector without Government intervention. 

The recent report, 2023-2024 Future Focused, into the seafood sector shows a 14% decline in the value of exports in 2023, it shows a decline in the volume of fish and a decline in the value of fish. A 2022 BIM report, The Business of Seafood, showed a decrease of 17% in production. 

Exports in the pelagic sector, which would affect Killybegs, fell by 31%.

The CEO of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA) Brendan Byrne said the recent figures are stark and alarming and should send alarm bells ringing throughout government: 

He said: “When you look at the full detail of the report published by Bord Bia. It is very alarming. It shows that the export values in the pelagic sector which most affect the northwest, in Killybegs in particular, the export value fell by 31% and there was a further 45% drop in the volume of fish processed.” 

The south Donegal representative said if things continue as they are he fears for the industry. 

“That's why I, as a representative body of the fishing industry, is clearly challenging the government to take immediate action.” 

He said when concerns were raised in relation to both the beef and mushroom farming industries steps and measures were taken and implemented by the government of the day to come to their aid. 

“I'm clearly saying now that there is a crisis here in the Irish fishing industry, the government of the day has a duty of responsibility to intervene, to support this industry,” he said. 

He added that 17,000 people work in the industry around the coast. However, he did add that should matters be put to right there is a bright future as Ireland is surrounded by some of the richest fishing grounds in Europe.  

“There are issues in terms of how we're impacted by the brexit agreement that being said there is a duty for all of industry and the government now to get around the table to put in place a strategy that will allow us to overcome these short term difficulties that we’re having so that we have a long term sustainable future present we're known for near that juncture.”