Noel Mc Donagh presented on the challenges facing Ireland's fishing industry. He discussed how overfishing has led to fewer fish, forcing fishermen to take more risks working longer hours in worse conditions. This has led to increased fatalities and the closure of many traditional fisheries. Effective management and communication between stakeholders is needed to replenish fish stocks and resume sustainable fishing. The government and EU must provide more support to address the industry's decline for the livelihoods of fishing communities.

1. Presentation to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital
By Noel Mc Donagh, Chairman of F.L.A.G for the South East of Ireland and
Founder of Last.ie
14.05.2014

2. Agenda
 Introduction
 Industry Challenges
 Why Has This Happened?
 What Needs to Change?
 Final Thoughts
Céad míle fáilte, a chairde

3. Introduction – My Background
Event Year
Born – Fishing background 1944
Started fishing 1959
Merchant Navy 1961
Returned fishing 1964
Diving career 1968
Bought first trawler 1970
Opened outdoor store 1983
Retired…… 2009
Farnet/ F.L.A.G.S 2012
Founded L.A.S.T 2013
“Carrying a basket of salted herrings in Dunmore
East Dec 1959”

4. Introduction – Dunmore East
 Population 1,795 people
(CSO 2011)
 Coastal fishing village in
County Waterford – South
East of Ireland
 Main incomes are fishing
and tourism
 One of the largest and
oldest fishing harbours in
Ireland and Europe

5. Introduction – Dunmore East
Dunmore East June 1900

6. Introduction – Dunmore East
Dunmore East June 1920

7. Industry Challenges – The Stats
Fishing Industry Statistic Ireland 1960 Ireland 2013
Average fatalities in the workplace x4 x40
Normal fishing day per boat 12 hours 24 hours
Normal fishing week per boat 5 days 7 days
Normal fishing year per boat (under 45 ft) 6 months 12 months
Lobster creels/pots per boat (under 45 ft) 90 800
Number of crew per boat (under 45 ft) 3-4 1-2
Metres of fishing nets per boat (under 45 ft) 800 mts 16,000 mts
*Stats from HSA Ireland and LAST.ie

8. Industry Challenges – Closure of Fisheries
 Lack of management led to
closures of salmon, eel , bass,
mussel, cockle and herring
fishing in key ports across
country.
 This led to several issues in these
coastal villages including:
 An increase in drownings
 Overfishing
 Anti-social lifestyles
 Depression
 Suicide

9. Why Has This Happened?
 Overfishing on certain species by both Irish and European boats in Irish waters have
reduced the volume of fish attainable and tonnage per catch.
 Less fish available has caused fishermen to take more risks in order to obtain a
sustainable catch. This means fishermen are now required to go out in worse weather
than they would have previously.
 Fishermen are now also required to work longer hours, and spend more time at sea-
which increases fatigue and concentration lapses which can be fatal.
 Due to the absence of clear management structures, traditional fisheries have
effectively been closed and local fishermen's livelihoods put at risk- forcing them to
social welfare.
 Overarching issue is a lack of an efficient management structure in regional fishing
ports across the country. This has largely been ignored by the Irish Government and
European Union.

10. What Needs to Change?
 More attentiveness and responsibility needs to be taken by the Irish Government and
European Union to address the gradual collapse of traditionally Ireland’s oldest and
most important industry.
 Increased communication by boards of control with fishing stakeholders and cross-
dialogue and agreement used to inform future planning and control.
 Effective management solutions need to be put in place in regional ports across the
country to ensure tighter control of regulations, replenishment of stocks and
resumption of responsible, sustainable fishing.
 More attention and consideration needs to be paid to the dangerous conditions
undertaken by fishermen every day, and contingency plans put in place to support and
help fishing families who are struck by tragedy: http://www.last.ie

11. Final Thoughts
“Always listen to a fool for you never know what you might learn.”
“Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”