Fisheries sector seeks EU quota access to bluefin tuna
Irish inshore fishermen are lobbying for a quota to catch bluefin tuna, a right they were denied in 1998 due to a lack of historical track record. The Irish government supports the request, but it requires consensus from other EU member states to change current allocation rules.
Why it matters
This reflects the complexities of EU fisheries management and the economic challenges faced by small-scale coastal communities seeking to diversify their catch.
Inshore fishermen are seeking permission to commercially catch bluefin tuna in Irish waters, noting it would "make a massive difference" in coastal communities.
The Government supports the call, but efforts to secure a national quota allocation have not yet gained sufficient backing among EU member states.
Ireland did not receive a bluefin tuna allocation when EU quota shares were first distributed in 1998 because it had no commercial track record of fishing the species.
The National Inshore Fishermen's Association (NIFA), which represents small scale fishermen has said a rod-and-line allocation would allow "diversification."
NIFA deputy chairperson, John Menarry said: "Our biggest challenge is not lack of fish, but access to the fish that's in our waters.
"One fish a week, one fish a fortnight would probably make a massive difference. We're not talking about huge volume. We're talking about individual fish."
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