Port of Cork Blockaded by fishermen.

[Goldie fish]

Fishermen, angered at what they consider unfair treatment relating to both catch sizes and fuel charges, have blockaded Cork Harbour at Roches Point.

Fisherman blockade Dingle pier and Cork harbour
10/06/2008 - 12:41:31

Fishermen protesting over rising fuel costs and EU quotas have taken their demonstration to Dingle pier in Co Kerry this morning.

A group of fishermen have been preventing lorries from collecting fish stocks at the pier as part of the protest.

They are also trying to stop trawlers from delivering their cargo.

Last night, fishermen prevented a cargo of imported fish from leaving Cork Airport.

They say their livelihoods are under threat due to rising fuel prices and the quota system imposed by the EU in order to protect stocks of certain fish species.

The Port of Cork also confirmed that fishermen at Roches Point are blocking entry to Cork harbour until further notice.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakin.../mhgbojeyojgb/

I understand Numerous Container ships are due later, along with L.E Emer. It will be interesting to see what happens next. I was told that a Local fishmonger imports the same quantity of Cod from Iceland as what Irish trawlermen throw overboard, due to quota restrictions on Cod Catches.

The Port of Cork schedule is currently offline.

[hptmurphy]

I understand Numerous Container ships are due later, along with L.E Emer. It will be interesting to see what happens next

It happened before and was witness to the outcome.Gets very interesting at times

[Victor]

And Waterford

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0610/fishing.html

Fishermen blockade Cork, Waterford ports
Tuesday, 10 June 2008 19:36
Fishermen blockading Cork and Waterford's ports have made a number of demands, which they say will end their protest.

The fishermen want the Government to recognise that 60,000 people in coastal areas depend on the fishing industry for their economic survival.

They have called for State agencies, including the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the the Civil Service, to change their attitude towards coastal people and to respect them and the industry.

Advertisement'We are people with families to feed, communities to support and are not criminals to be disposed of,' the fishermen say in a statement.

'Our industry, which has no history of civil disobedience, has been forced to take these protest measures and will continue to do so, for however longis necessary,' they add.

The protests are being organised by ad hoc groups, outside of the formal Federation of Fishermen and said the protests would end if the Government met them to discuss the problems of the industry.

The fishermen blockading the entrance to Cork port issued a warning by VHF marine radio that they will not allow any shipping in or out.

About 60 fishing boats of various sizes formed a circle around the harbour mouth off Roches Point, which is the only entrance to the port.

A number of fishing trawlers have also started blockading Waterford port.

The trawlers began gathering north of Dunmore East at around 2pm.


Last night fishermen prevented a cargo of imported fish from leaving Cork Airport in the latest of their demonstrations over rising fuel prices, low quotas and heavy enforcement of fishing regulations.

They said they were being forced to dump fish at sea, while fish of the same type was being imported into Ireland, and they were being driven into bankruptcy.

It was the second time in four days that fishermen targeted Cork Airport and they have threatened more demonstrations.

Fishermen must dump certain species, if caught in their nets, back in the sea or face prosecution by inspectors waiting for them if they bring the fish ashore.

The fishermen were faced by a large garda presence outside the airport's cargo area last night but no arrests were reported.

They protested instead at the roundabout approaching the airport where a refrigerated lorry to move a load of fish from Iceland was caught up in the protest.

Fishermen claimed to have negotiated an agreement that the cargo would not leave the airport for the night.

The protestors claimed the Government was not taking notice of their problems, but it is understood that contacts are under way between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the EU about what is a worsening situation.

[Goldie fish]

Well the Port of Cork is effectively Closed. Nothing is getting in or out. 5 ships are at anchor in the harbour, waiting to get out. 2 are outside waiting to get in. 60 trawlers have blocked the traditional choke point between Templebreedy and Roches point.

What's more, they have the support of all the local population, who gain much of their living from the maritime industry. Many see it as the first step in the battle for lower fuel prices. If the fishermen are not heard, they intend to continue the blockade as long as is practical. They are also suggesting returning to blockade the harbour for Cork Week.

Trawlers from Dingle and Castletown Bere are expected to join the blockade in Cork Harbour tomorrow.

[O'Duffy]

Meh. I've little sympathy for this knowing the calibre of resident in one middle ranking fishing port in West Cork. Their modus operandi is written all over an aggressive, confrontional approach to highligting their business difficulties. Everyone is in the doldrums at the moment. Why should they get away with acting the maggot.

[Goldie fish]

You aren't aware of the purpose of their protest then.

The fish they are not allowed catch, are being shipped in from Iceland, caught in the same waters these boats fish.
Diesel prices make many trips to fish a lossmaking exercise.
The attitude of the SFPOs is causing much stress to those in the industry. They are being persecuted for attempting to do their job with the same vigour of drugs squad raiding a cocaine dealers house.

You say that everyone is in the doldrums. This is true. So if we ignore all those who have no option other than to protest in this manner, what happens when it comes to your industry?

[O'Duffy]

I'm well aware of the reasons. They initiated this protest on the back of rising fuel costs and now its spawned into a protest about everything that ails them. Yes the current rules governing sea fisheries are excessive but squaring off at the airport with the gaurds and blocking a strategic asset of the state is not on. Its also occuring outside the remit of their own representative organisations.

You ask what will happen when my industry is affected? Well if everyone resorts to this type of direct action to sort their problems why bother with the democratic protest at all?

[A/TEL]

Whats the story when Naval Vessels are coming back/going on patrol, will they attempt to break through the blockade?. Have they the authority to do so without instructions from the DOD?

[Aidan]

Fishermen forced to obey the law shocker!

Mass outrage in "poor marginal coastal communities" (sic).

This is the result of an ongoing and well signalled contraction in the Whitefish fleet - as well as an internal dissagreement within the industry.

Goldie, tell me, just where are Icelandic and Irish vessels fishing the same patch? Just the ICES area will do fine ...

[trellheim]

+10000

SFPOs are only enforcing the law that these fishermen are bleating about, since some in the industry chose to flaunt in the most blatant manner possible. Now that proper regulation is finally coming in they don't like it.

[wat flies dies]

Blockade has been stepped down

[GoneToTheCanner]

I love that line, "no history of civil disobedience". Ask any NS veteran about near and actual rammings and assaults on board and on land.Ask the Revenue about fishing industry tax dodging practises such as landing undeclared fish catchs in foreign ports and trousering the money.Ask any African fisherman whose livelihood is being stripped to the bone by large Irish vessels.Ask any water bailiff about threats and assaults.....what they want is a public subsidy.Cheap diesel, less scrutiny from the taxmen and law enforcement.
Open the Ports by force, if necessary.
regards
GttC

[Goldie fish]

+10000

SFPOs are only enforcing the law that these fishermen are bleating about, since some in the industry chose to flaunt in the most blatant manner possible. Now that proper regulation is finally coming in they don't like it.

Can you suggest an alternative industry so for the communities of Castletown Bere, Dunmore East, Union Hall etc?

[Sea Toby]

If you do a google on Peak Oil, which is the state we are all in worldwide, you would realize our governments have failed us with this most basic economic reality. As you search, notice how old many of the hits are! Many of the hits go back to the first oil crisis of the 1970s. Nothing has changed, except for more demand and steady supplies of oil. Face it, the days of cheap oil is over. It wouldn't surprise me to see the price of oil reach US $ 150 per barrel by July 4th, and US $200 per barrel by the end of the year from the current US $140 per barrel.

During early 2007 the price per barrel was as low as US $62 per barrel. The price has doubled in the past year. Everyone is being affected, commuters, businesses, and retirees. The sad truth is world oil demand has reached supply, if not passed by supply.

Either join the Greens, and start peddling a bicycle, or pay dearly for oil. The Greens answer to fishermen is to return to to wind powered boats. Its just that simple. The only problem, as many in the US have discovered this year, is that the new car or boat salesmen won't give you a fair trade-in. They can't sell new boats, or cars, why would they give you full value for your fuel hog?

And by the way, I received within the last minute 6,990,000 google hits. I believe this is the most hits I have ever recieved googling anything.

Despite this non news, as it isn't new news, have any of our governments introduced gas rationing? Or increased COLA demands significantly, say more than ten percent?

[O'Duffy]

Can you suggest an alternative industry so for the communities of Castletown Bere, Dunmore East, Union Hall etc?

Union Hall could enter its men folk into UFC anyway