THE recovery of cod stocks in the Irish Sea presents "a golden opportunity" for the long-term growth of the north's fish and seafood industry and to developing Kilkeel as the region’s seafood hub, it's been claimed.
Alan McCulla, chief executive of SeaSource, was commenting on the certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) that cod stocks had reached sustainable levels, and said the resurgence is encouraging investment in more modern trawlers in Kilkeel, strengthening the campaign for investment in the harbour infrastructure for such vessels.
He said: “In 1999, there was a fleet of more than 40 trawlers from Northern Ireland that targeted cod and other whitefish in the Irish Sea.
"With reduced catches, closed areas, a variety of technical conservation measures and the trawler decommissioning scheme this was at one point reduced to one trawler.
“But the recent resurgence in whitefish is seeing this number slowly grow to about four or five today. This is encouraging at a time when opportunities for whitefish catches such as cod are growing. Fisheries scientists have just finished reassessing the evidence for cod in the Irish Sea and the result is very positive."
According to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), the cod stock in the Irish Sea is at its highest level for 25 years and this has led to them recommending a 375 percent increase for the catch in 2018.
“Even if the EU agree to that recommendation there is still a long way to go before catches can return to the levels fishermen believe are sustainable," Mr McCulla added.
"Nevertheless, the stock in the Irish Sea has turned a tremendous corner, and the time is right for further investment in one of Northern Ireland’s most important industries that’s focused on exports.
“Some may suggest this 'recovery' is due EU fisheries management. This is plainly wrong. In fact, it was EU mis-management of the stock through the failed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) that contributed to the near collapse in the first place.”
“It was the sacrifice of County Down fishermen, helped to a large extent by Mother Nature that has led to a resurgence in the Irish Sea cod stock, as well as other fisheries in the area. Withdrawal from the EU's CFP after Brexit should allow us to reinforce that process.
“Greater investment in both short and long terms in facilities at Kilkeel is essential to ensure the industry’s growth and the future wellbeing of fishing families along the county Down coastline,” Mr McCulla added.
Sea Source is Northern Ireland’s leading fishing and seafood business. It is a co-operative representing more than 40 trawlers.
