Concerns around the future of Clare’s inshore fishing industry will be highlighted at a meeting in the west of the county tonight.
It comes as a round-table discussion on the key issues impacting Clare’s coastal communities takes place in Quilty this evening.
Fishermen, representative organisations and marine experts will come together this evening to discuss the key issues facing the sector, with the Common Fisheries Policy to the forefront of the agenda.
The policy aims to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks and local fishing communities.
The event is free to attend and takes place at The Quilty Tavern from 7pm.
Carrigaholt-based Chair of the Irish Charter Skippers Association, Luke Aston, says the CFP is failing to deliver for local communities in Clare.
It’s claimed changes to fishing opportunities and quotas are needed at an EU level to ensure the longevity of coastal communities.
Irish quotas for 2026 amount to approximately 120,000 tonnes, with an estimated value of €205 million, a decrease of 60,000 tonnes from 2025.
Meanwhile, inshore fishing communities along the west coast have been impacted by overfishing by industrial trawlers, with little or no repercussions.
Scariff Independent MEP Michael McNamara says the interests of large fishing enterprises are served to a greater extent by Brussels.
Listen to the full interview here
