The strategic importance of the fishing sector to rural communities and Ireland: a case study of the Rossaveal Region, Co. Galway

Fishing and ancillary industries are commonly perceived to be of significant social and economic value by virtue of their geographic location. Past socio-economic studies of fisheries and related industries largely confined themselves to analysing demographic statistics and relating these to official port fish landings data and descriptions of processing and ancillary industries. Despite these efforts, a clear picture of why and how fisheries are of socio-economic significance has not yet been achieved. As a consequence there is little de-tailed understanding of how ecological, legislative and market related changes impact on fisheries dependent communities. This study of the Rossaveal Region was funded by Marine Institute in an attempt to assess the importance of demersal, shellfish and pelagic fisheries to peripheral Irish communities. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The Rossaveal Region is located in Southwest Co. Galway on the West Coast of Ireland. It is characterised physically by nutrient deficient soils, culturally by the high proportion of the population that speaks Irish and economically by the diverse mix of activities supporting individual households. Aim This report aims to describe and explain why exploitation of fisheries is socially and economically important to the present and future sustainability of communities within the Rossaveal Region. Objectives • Assess the relative importance of fisheries and related industries to Rossaveal, the community dependent on these fisheries and it’s specific geographical hinterland. • Provide research results gained from Objective One highlighting the impact of EU fishery management strategies on the fishing industry. Research Findings • Approximately £7 million of various species of fish was landed into Rossaveal in 1997. • 74% of this catch is sold on behalf of vessels from the Region. • Local boats employ 207 people. • These boats help support an additional 697 jobs within the local area. • Those working within the fishing industry have an estimated 1,400 dependants • Nephrop fisheries are vital to the continued survival of large sections of the local fishing fleet. Without this fishery all but four local whitefish vessels between 15 24 metres would cease to be economically viable within two years. • Demersal fisheries between Slyne Head and Loop Head are considered overfished. 1 It is important to note that these boats create additional employment opportunities outside of the Region that have not been assessed. Irish Fisheries Investigations (New Series) No. 4 (1999) 2 • In general those consulted believe key fisheries have and continue to be inadequately managed. • Mackerel fisheries are considered to be migrating further northwards as a consequence of changes in the marine environment and herring stocks are in decline following prolonged overfishing. • Galway and Aran Fishermen Co-op has noted an overall reduction in the size of key demersal species, most notably the prime whitefish e.g. brill, sole etc. • Decline in the overall quantity and size of important species fish landed between 1990 – 1997 have been offset by increases in price. • The annual cost of operating the near shore sector of the Rossaveal fishing fleet has increased by an average of 14% between 1991 – 1997. • Annual income for the near shore sector of the Rossaveal fishing fleet has increased by an average of 8% between 1991 – 1997. • Overall profitability of the fishing fleet is declining. • In order to offset increasing scarcity of fish and reduced profitability fishermen are: o Increasing the amount of time spent at sea, o Increasing the amount of gear deployed, o Diversifying into alternative fisheries, o Adopting new technologies and gear and, o Buying newer, larger, more powerful fishing vessels. • In relative terms fishermen are earning less per hour fished than five years ago. • Several fishing boats commented that they were having difficulty attracting and keeping experienced crews. • In general those crewmen surveyed stated that they are satisfied with their work but stressed that earnings are declining, as is their quality of life due to the necessity of spending more time at sea. • The families of those working at sea commented at length that their overall quality of life has declined as a consequence of the growing demands of onboard employment. RECOMMENDATIONS Demersal Species • Mesh sizes need to be increased to a minimum of 100mm for demersal species. Nephrops • Given the vital economic importance of nephrop fisheries to virtually all vessels from the Region a comprehensive management plan should be drafted by relevant State bodies in consultation with the local fishing industry. • Mesh size for nephrops may have to be increased to 90mm. • Buried nephrops should not be harvested. • The use of twin-rigging gear on the ‘back of the islands’ fishing grounds should be restricted. • Increased minimum sizes for tailed nephrops should be established and enforced. Shellfish Species • V-Notching of lobsters should be continued • Soft-shelled crab should not be landed. • A limitation of effort (Time at sea / Number of pots) should be considered. • A closed season for both crab and lobster should be considered. • Shrimp fisheries should be regulated and managed. Pelagic • High-grading of pelagic species should be outlawed. • Given recent trends in the distribution of pelagic stocks, the issue of days at sea needs to be reconsidered with regard to smaller pelagic vessels. These boats are of vital importance to the Rossaveal Region. D. Meredith: Strategic importance of the fishing industry: Rossaveal, Galway 3 General Recommendations • Fishermen and those within the fishing industry need to be offered a means of contributing constructively to fisheries management. It is proposed that a local industry forum be established that would enable administrators to outline proposed changes in fisheries management to the industry on a face-to-face basis and explain why such decisions are being taken. Equally fishermen must be allowed to offer suggestions to administrators as to the effectiveness of regulations in controlling effort and conserving fish stocks. • A comprehensive development and management plan for fisheries located between Slyne Head and Loop Head should be drafted through a consultation process between relevant State bodies and local fishermen and / or their representatives. • Communication between fishermen, administrators and scientists needs to be improved. • Rossaveal port requires continued investment in services and facilities, particularly a slip for vessels to be hauled ashore for repair and maintenance. Development of such a facility will also foster growth in ancillary industries within the Region. • Means of limiting / reducing the amount of fish discarded should be investigated so as to reduce the biological and ecological impact of fishing and also to increase the economic efficiency / yield per tow. • A formalised means of gathering social and economic data on an ongoing basis relating to the local fishing fleet and fish processors should be considered. Such a scheme would enable the forces driving change within the catching sector to be better understood. It would also facilitate continued observation of cost-of-fishing trends and their implications for the future structure of the fishing fleet and fishing dependent communities. Irish Fisheries Investigations (New Series) No. 4 (1999)