The SFPA is the regulatory body concerned with monitoring the take-up of fish quotas by vessels of all nationalities in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"Fishermen are angry and insulted at this unprecedented public spin-doctoring against them in this manner" said an FIF spokesman today.

"At a time when the now infamous fisheries legislation of 2006 is being reviewed by Government, as confirmed by the Taoiseach last week, this agency is publicly promoting the use of these same laws.

"We in FIF are attempting to foster a more enlightened relationship between fishermen and the SFPA, but this initiative is being stretched to breaking point by the SFPA's adversarial attitude."

Many ports are operating limited hours and restrictions are in place forcing fishermen to divert to designated locations because the SFPA allegedly lacks the resources to service all ports. In such a context, it is incredible that the SFPA sees fit to expend significant resources on a self-serving media campaign.

"FIF completely understands and accepts that the SFPA has an important job to do, but this advertising campaign adds nothing to the functioning of the organisation and smacks merely of organisational self-promotion for no useful purpose."

FIF has called on SFPA to radically re-orient its evident corporate attitude towards the fishing industry, to foster a multi-dimensional strategy of working with the sector and of enforcing regulations evenly among the fishing fleets from all nationals operating in Irish waters.

FIF says it remains committed to working with the SFPA, but if the current campaign and these attitudes underlying it continue, FIF will refer the matter to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which has a direct oversight role.

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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