Pay our fishermen to collect plastic from sea – Codd

The Aontu Local Election candidate for the Rosslare LEA has called for fishermen from Kilmore Quay and other Irish ports to be paid for collecting plastics while out at sea. Jim Codd said that such a plan might give fishermen a lifeline in the face of extreme economic hardship motivated by unsustainable EU Quotas and the Irish political establishments utter failure to represent them.

 “Wexford fishing vessels are picking up plastic debris in their nets everyday,” Mr Codd said. “The Irish Government had promised to provide funding through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to provide storage facilities on board Irish fishing vessels and financial incentive to enable our boats to bring this waste home. So far, little has been done to achieve this.”

 “Fishing crews out of Kilmore Quay and other Wexford harbours are suffering incredible financial hardship as a result of unsustainable EU Fishing quotas and our own political establishments utter failure to represent them. Representing fishermen means more than holding public meetings every time that there’s an election. It means fighting their corner and ensuring their survival.”

 “The EMFF funding is also intended for the construction of on-shore facilities and infrastructure for the environmentally friendly disposal of all plastics, waste, ghost fishing gear, etc recovered at sea. These on-shore facilities will also be available for fishermen to dispose of unwanted fishing gear and other items with plastic content.”

"Up to 80% Of marine debris floating off our beautiful coastline is made up of plastics yet not one of our current crop of County Councillors, who claim to be very green when it suits them, have ever brought any plan or proposal before our local government, or approached local fishermen, in order to tackle this crisis.”