The Seafood Ireland Alliance will meet Irish MEPs in Brussels tomorrow, (Wed 12 Nov, 14:00 European Parliament), to press for decisive EU action to protect Ireland’s seafood sector and coastal communities.
The Alliance — representing Ireland’s leading fishing and processing organisations — will outline the key steps needed to stabilise the industry and safeguard employment as the sector faces another difficult year. The delegation will call for immediate progress on Hague Preferences, emergency financial support, and a fleet restructuring programme to address the mounting pressures on the Irish fleet.
They will also urge MEPs to support a review of licensing and quota allocations, stronger representation for Ireland on the EU Pêche Committee, and fairer trade measures under Regulation 1026/2012 to ensure a level playing field for Irish operators. The Alliance will highlight the need for a comprehensive BIM impact analysis to quantify the effects of recent quota reductions, rising operational costs, and the ongoing imbalance in quota distribution since Brexit.
Aodh O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), said Ireland’s fishing communities are at a breaking point. “This meeting is about accountability and delivery. We need Ireland’s MEPs to champion immediate, practical support at EU level.”
“Coastal communities are running out of time,” said Dominic Rihan, CEO of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO). “Without targeted financial assistance and fair quota access, Ireland’s seafood sector faces irreversible damage.”
Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisationsaid the Alliance’s proposals represent a clear and achievable roadmap. “Irish fishers must not continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden of cuts in fishing opportunities and quota transfers to third countries. We need Europe to implement the measures at their disposal to restore balance”.
Brendan Byrne, CEO of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association said the Alliance “will also reaffirm its position that Ireland must secure zero access and zero transfer under the current EU–Norway negotiations, unless Irish fishing interests are fully protected. These priorities are vital to re-establish fairness within the Common Fisheries Policy and to restore confidence in the future of the industry.
The meeting follows September’s initial engagement with Irish MEPs. “We aim to build unified political support ahead of the December Fisheries Council,” said John Lynch CEO of Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, “where key quota and policy decisions will be finalised.”
The Seafood Ireland Alliance delegation comprises John Lynch (ISEFPO), Brendan Byrne (IFPEA), Patrick Murphy (ISWFPO), Dominic Rihan (KFO), and Aodh O’Donnell (IFPO).
