The Impact of the EEC on Fisheries

The Impact of the EEC on Fisheries

1. Introduction

   • Continental shelf around Ireland -> fertile
   • Fishing industry made progress in 1960s, but was still underdeveloped
   • 6000 full & part time fishermen (1973)
   • Ireland had the smallest EEC fleet
   • Denmark - 1/2 the size of Ireland, catch 20x bigger

2. EEC entry negotiations

   • agreement on fisheries
   • Fishermen from other EEC countries able to fish in Irish waters
   • Ireland & Britain given a 10yr. exemption from free access rule
   • Ireland could benefit from increased European markets

3. Bord Iascaigh Mhara

   • Set up in 1952
   • 1973 - Ireland was still behind other countries
   • BIM opened offices to expand markets to the continent
     • ~develop added-value products ~develop more processing in Ireland

4. Iceland

   • 1975 - 200 mile exclusion zone
   • Deprived some EEC fleets of fishing waters
   • EEC declared 200 mile exclusion zone around its waters

5. More of an industry

   • Improved processing facilities, better ports & marine engineering to service boats
   • 1986 - 12,000 employed (full & part time work) Increase of 50% on 1975 levels
   • More employed in ancillary industries
   • West & north west ares

6. Failures

   • Inadequate business training for skippers & crew
   • 80% of owners in arrears
   • Increase in illegal fishing

7. Irish Fisherman's Organisation

   • 1974 to lobby the government
   • 50 mile limit for Irish fishermen
   • 6 ports blockaded in support of their demands

8. Garret Fitzgerald

   • Minister for Foreign Affairs
   • Ireland allowed to double its catch
   • Govt. plan to expand fleet & industry
   • Fishing of herring banned

9. Common Fisheries Policy

   • 1983 - EEC system for the management of fisheries & aquaculture
   • Set fishing limits
   • Established quotas & catches
   • Developed a structural policy

10. Conclusion

    • prevented from reaching full potential (quotas)
    • Grants & loans - better equipment
    • Provided employment (increased by half)