QUILTY will be the setting this week for a discussion on the future of the inshore fishing sector.
Ireland South MEP, Michael McNamara (IND) hosts the roundtable discussion on Thursday (August 27th) at The Quilty Tavern from 19:00.
Speakers will include Luke Aston, Irish Charter Skippers Association (ICSA), Michael Desmond, National Inshore Fishermen’s Association (NIFA), Enda Conneely, Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) and Dr Oliver Tully, The Marine Institute.
Discussions will focus on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy, the sustainability of the inshore fleet, harbour infrastructure and what can be done to ensure fishing remains a viable livelihood for future generations across Clare, Kerry and the wider south-west region.
MEP McNamara explained, “Fishing plays an important role in the life of communities along Ireland’s coastline, not least because tourists and Irish consumers alike expect to be able to source fresh, locally caught sustainable seafood, and the meeting will bring together fishermen, representative organisations and academics for a practical discussion on the challenges facing the sector”.
He continued, “I want this to be a practical discussion, focused on listening to people with first-hand experience of the fishing industry. Our inshore fishing communities face serious challenges, from access to fishing opportunities to harbour infrastructure. We need to understand those challenges and identify what can be done to support the future of the sector”.
Thursday’s meeting is open to the public while those wishing to attend online can email michael.mcnamara@europarl.europa.eu. “I encourage fishermen and anyone with an interest in our coastal communities to come along and take part,” the Scariff native stated.
