Bill on special fishing licences for islanders faces Agriculture Committee scrutiny

The Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill sponsored by three Sinn Féin deputies proposes to give islanders new rights to fish within 6 miles of their shoreline. It specifies that such licences would be issued only for fishers using boats under 12 meters in length and no towed fishing gear.

The Committee began its scrutiny May 1 by engaging its sponsors and department officials.

Tuesday’s scheduled witnesses appearing after 3:30 p.m. in Committee Room 2, Leinster House, include:

• Jeremy Percy, executive director of Low Impact Fishers of Europe, an umbrella organisation representing fishers’ interests across the EU;
• Representatives from four regional bodies: Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation; Irish Fish Producers Organisation, Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation, and Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation;
• Simon Murray, chairman of the Irish Islands Federation, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, which promotes the interests of island communities off the coasts of Cork, Donegal, Galway and Mayo;
• Jerry Early, chairman of the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation, which seeks to develop sustainable fisheries and enhanced fishing rights for islanders; and
• Ruth Brennan, a postdoctoral research fellow at Trinity College Dublin who specialises in marine environmental governance.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

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