Question 1

How many people are employed in commercial fishing in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Over 16,000 people are employed directly or indirectly around the coast, working on over 2,000 registered fishing vessels, in over 160 seafood processing businesses and in 278 aquaculture production units, according to the State's sea fisheries development body Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).

Question 2

Why is fishing referred to as an industry?

Accepted Answer

All activities that are concerned with growing, catching, processing or transporting fish are part of the commercial fishing industry, the development of which is overseen by BIM. Recreational fishing, as in angling at sea or inland, is the responsibility of Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Question 3

How important is the Irish fishing industry?

Accepted Answer

The Irish fishing industry is valued at 1.22 billion euro in gross domestic product (GDP), according to 2019 figures issued by BIM. Only 179 of Ireland's 2,000 vessels are over 18 metres in length. Where does Irish commercially caught fish come from ? Irish fish and shellfish is caught or cultivated within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), but Irish fishing grounds are part of the common EU "blue" pond. Commercial fishing is regulated under the terms of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), initiated in 1983 and with ten-yearly reviews.

Question 4

What is the value of seafood landings?

Accepted Answer

The total value of seafood landed into Irish ports was 424 million euro in 2019, according to BIM. High value landings identified in 2019 were haddock, hake, monkfish and megrim. Irish vessels also land into foreign ports, while non-Irish vessels land into Irish ports, principally Castletownbere, Co Cork, and Killybegs, Co Donegal.

Question 5

How are commercial fish species caught in the Irish EEZ?

Accepted Answer

There are a number of different methods for catching fish, with technological advances meaning skippers have detailed real time information at their disposal. Fisheries are classified as inshore, midwater, pelagic or deep water. Inshore targets species close to shore and in depths of up to 200 metres, and may include trawling and gillnetting and long-lining. Trawling is regarded as "active", while "passive" or less environmentally harmful fishing methods include use of gill nets, long lines, traps and pots. Pelagic fisheries focus on species which swim close to the surface and up to depths of 200 metres, including migratory mackerel, and tuna, and methods for catching include pair trawling, purse seining, trolling and longlining. Midwater fisheries target species at depths of around 200 metres, using trawling, longlining and jigging. Deepwater fisheries mainly use trawling for species which are found at depths of over 600 metres.

Question 6

How is the Irish fleet divided up?

Accepted Answer

There are several segments for different catching methods in the registered Irish fleet – the largest segment being polyvalent or multi-purpose vessels using several types of gear which may be active and passive. The polyvalent segment ranges from small inshore vessels engaged in netting and potting to medium and larger vessels targeting whitefish, pelagic (herring, mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting) species and bivalve molluscs. The refrigerated seawater (RSW) pelagic segment is engaged mainly in fishing for herring, mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting only. The beam trawling segment focuses on flatfish such as sole and plaice. The aquaculture segment is exclusively for managing, developing and servicing fish farming areas and can collect spat from wild mussel stocks.

Question 7

What are the top species landed?

Accepted Answer

The top 20 species landed by value in 2019 were mackerel (78 million euro); Dublin Bay prawn (59 million euro); horse mackerel (17 million euro); monkfish (17 million euro); brown crab (16 million euro); hake (11 million euro); blue whiting (10 million euro); megrim (10 million euro); haddock (9 million euro); tuna (7 million euro); scallop (6 million euro); whelk (5 million euro); whiting (4 million euro); sprat (3 million euro); herring (3 million euro); lobster (2 million euro); turbot (2 million euro); cod (2 million euro); boarfish (2 million euro).

Question 8

How diverse are Irish waters?

Accepted Answer

Ireland has approximately 220 million acres of marine territory, rich in marine biodiversity. A marine biodiversity scheme under Ireland's operational programme, which is co-funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the Government, aims to reduce the impact of fisheries and aquaculture on the marine environment, including avoidance and reduction of unwanted catch.

Question 9

How are quotas for fish decided?

Accepted Answer

EU fisheries ministers hold an annual pre-Christmas council in Brussels to decide on total allowable catches and quotas for the following year. This is based on advice from scientific bodies such as the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. In Ireland's case, the State's Marine Institute publishes an annual "stock book" which provides the most up to date stock status and scientific advice on over 60 fish stocks exploited by the Irish fleet. Total allowable catches are supplemented by various technical measures to control effort, such as the size of net mesh for various species.

Question 10

Which are the principal Irish fishing harbours?

Accepted Answer

The west Cork harbour of Castletownbere is Ireland's biggest whitefish port. Killybegs, Co Donegal is the most important port for pelagic (herring, mackerel, blue whiting) landings. Fish are also landed into Dingle, Co Kerry, Rossaveal, Co Galway, Howth, Co Dublin and Dunmore East, Co Waterford, Union Hall, Co Cork, Greencastle, Co Donegal, and Clogherhead, Co Louth. The busiest Northern Irish ports are Portavogie, Ardglass and Kilkeel, Co Down.

Question 11

Do other EU vessels land into Irish harbours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, EU quotas are allocated to other fleets within the Irish EEZ, and Ireland has long been a transhipment point for fish caught by the Spanish whitefish fleet in particular. Dingle, Co Kerry has seen an increase in foreign landings, as has Castletownbere. The west Cork port recorded foreign landings of 36 million euro or 48 per cent in 2019, and has long been nicknamed the "peseta" port, due to the presence of Spanish-owned transhipment plant, Eiranova, on Dinish island.

Question 12

Where is Irish seafood sold?

Accepted Answer

Most fish and shellfish caught or cultivated in Irish waters is for the export market, and this was hit hard from the early stages of this year's Covid-19 pandemic. The EU, Asia and Britain are the main export markets, while the middle Eastern market is also developing and the African market has seen a fall in value and volume, according to figures for 2019 issued by BIM.

Question 13

Do Irish people eat much fish?

Accepted Answer

Fish was once a penitential food, eaten for religious reasons every Friday. BIM has worked hard over several decades to develop its appeal. Ireland is not like Spain – our land is too good to transform us into a nation of fish eaters, but the obvious health benefits are seeing a growth in demand. Seafood retail sales rose by one per cent in 2019 to 300 million euro. Salmon and cod remain the most popular species, while BIM reports an increase in sales of haddock, trout and the pangasius or freshwater catfish which is cultivated primarily in Vietnam and Cambodia and imported by supermarkets here.

Question 14

Who regulates the industry?

Accepted Answer

The EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), initiated in 1983, pooled marine resources – with Ireland having some of the richest grounds and one of the largest sea areas at the time, but only receiving four per cent of allocated catch by a quota system. A system known as the "Hague Preferences" did recognise the need to safeguard the particular needs of regions where local populations are especially dependent on fisheries and related activities. The State's Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, based in Clonakilty, Co Cork, works with the Naval Service on administering the EU CFP. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and Department of Transport regulate licensing and training requirements, while the Marine Survey Office is responsible for the implementation of all national and international legislation in relation to safety of shipping and the prevention of pollution.

Question 15

Are Irish fishing crews required to undertake training?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a range of certificates of competency are required for skippers and crew. Training is the remit of BIM, which runs two national fisheries colleges at Greencastle, Co Donegal and Castletownbere, Co Cork. There have been calls for the colleges to be incorporated into the third-level structure of education, with qualifications recognised as such.

Question 16

How safe is the Irish fishing industry?

Accepted Answer

Safety is always an issue, in spite of technological improvements, as fishing is a hazardous occupation and climate change is having its impact on the severity of storms at sea. Fishing skippers and crews are required to hold a number of certificates of competency, including safety and navigation, and wearing of personal flotation devices is a legal requirement. Accidents come under the remit of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, and the Health and Safety Authority. The MCIB does not find fault or blame, but will make recommendations to the Minister for Transport to avoid a recurrence of incidents.

Question 17

Is climate breakdown affecting Irish fish stocks?

Accepted Answer

Fish are part of a marine ecosystem and an integral part of the marine food web. Changing climate is having a negative impact on the health of the oceans, and there have been more frequent reports of warmer water species being caught further and further north in Irish waters. What are the main challenges for the Irish fishing industry? Brexit, Covid 19, EU policies and safety – Britain is a key market for Irish seafood, and 38 per cent of the Irish catch is taken from the waters around its coast. Ireland's top two species – mackerel and prawns - are 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, dependent on British waters. Also, there are serious fears within the Irish industry about the impact of EU vessels, should they be expelled from British waters, opting to focus even more efforts on Ireland's rich marine resource. Covid-19 has forced closure of international seafood markets, with high value fish sold to restaurants taking a large hit. A temporary tie-up support scheme for whitefish vessels introduced for the summer of 2020 was condemned by industry organisations as "designed to fail".


Overall Club Points	After Skibbereen Regatta
1	U.C.D. BC	187
2	Skibbereen RC	119
3	Shandon BC	107
4	St. Michaels Rowing Club	103
5	Dublin University Ladies BC	94
6	Cork BC	92
7	NUI Galway BC	82
8	Commercial RC	72
9	Neptune RC	71
10	Dublin University BC	55
11	Muckross RC	53
12	U.C.C. RC	49
13	University of Limerick RC	47.5
14	Carlow RC	46
15	St. Josephs College RC	43
16	Shannon RC	41
17	Fermoy RC	40
18	Clonmel RC	32
19	Athlunkard BC	29
20	Lee RC	29
21	Galway RC	20
22	Killorglin RC	18.5
23	Cappoquin	17
24	Tralee RC	17
25	Three Castles Rowing Club	15
26	Garda Siochana BC	14
27	Colaiste Chiarain RC	12
28	Lee Valley RC	12
29	Workmens RC	12
30	Old Collegians BC (Walshe)	10
31	Presentation College RC	10
32	Graiguenamanagh BC	9
33	Fossa RC	7
34	Grainne Mhaol RC	4
35	Castleconnell BC	1


Mens Division 1	After Skibbereen Regatta
1	U.C.D. BC	74
2	Skibbereen RC	65
3	Neptune RC	39
4	Dublin University BC	30
5	Carlow RC	28
6	Commercial RC	28
7	Lee RC	24
8	Cork BC	22
9	NUI Galway BC	22
10	Muckross RC	21
11	St. Josephs College RC	17
12	University of Limerick RC	17
13	St. Michaels Rowing Club	15
14	Lee Valley RC	12
15	Shandon BC	12
16	Presentation College RC	10
17	Fossa RC	7
18	Garda Siochana BC	6
19	U.C.C. RC	6
20	Workmens RC	5
21	Grainne Mhaol RC	4
22	Three Castles Rowing Club	3
23	Clonmel RC	1


Mens Division 2	After Skibbereen Regatta
1	St. Michaels Rowing Club	38
2	Cork BC	33
3	Neptune RC	32
4	U.C.D. BC A	27
5	St. Josephs College RC	26
6	Dublin University BC	25
7	Shannon RC	24
8	Shandon BC	23
9	U.C.C. RC	23
10	Fermoy RC	21
11	Athlunkard BC	17
12	Carlow RC	12
13	Cappoquin RC	11
14	University of Limerick RC	11
15	Commercial RC	9
16	Skibbereen RC	9
17	Tralee RC	9
18	Workmens RC	7
19	Clonmel RC	6
20	Graiguenamanagh BC	6
21	NUI Galway BC	6
22	Lee RC	5
23	Colaiste Chiarain RC	4
24	Muckross RC	1


Womens Division 1	After Skibbereen Regatta
1	U.C.D. BC	61
2	Dublin University Ladies BC	47
3	Skibbereen RC	45
4	Shandon BC	40
5	St. Michaels Rowing Club	38
6	NUI Galway BC	29
7	Muckross RC	23
8	Killorglin RC	14.5
9	Three Castles Rowing Club	12
10	Old Collegians BC	10
11	University of Limerick RC	9.5
12	Clonmel RC	9
13	Cork BC	9
14	U.C.C. RC	9
15	Athlunkard BC	1


Womens Division 2	After Skibbereen Regatta
1	Dublin University Ladies BC	47
2	Commercial	35
3	Shandon BC	33
4	Cork BC	28
5	NUI Galway BC	25
6	U.C.D. BC	25
7	Galway RC	20
8	Fermoy RC	19
9	Shannon RC	17
10	Clonmel RC	16
11	St. Michaels Rowing Club	12
12	Athlunkard BC	11
13	U.C.C. RC	11
14	University of Limerick RC	10
15	Colaiste Chiarain	8
16	Garda Siochana BC	8
17	Muckross RC	8
18	Tralee RC	8
19	Cappoquin	6
20	Carlow RC	6
21	Killorglin RC	4
22	Graiguenamanagh	3
23	Castleconnell BC	1

Grand League Series Final Points Table 2011
Position	Overall Final Points Table after Skibbereen, Queens, Metro and Cork Regattas 2011	Points
1	Skibbereen RC	664
2	U.C.D. BC	350
3	St. Michaels Rowing Club	329
4	Commercial RC	325
5	Neptune RC	319
6	Cork Boat Club	195
7	Bann RC	175
8	Dublin University BC	165
9	Shandon BC	164
10	Dublin University Ladies BC	151
11	Lee RC	150
12	NUI Galway BC	128
13	Queens University Belfast BC	118
14	Muckross RC	117
15	Shannon RC	116
16	Castleconnell BC	104
17	Portora Boat Club	102
18	Methodist College RC	91
19	Queens University Belfast Ladies BC	89
20	Fermoy RC	86
21	Carrick-on-Shannon RC	80
22	University of Limerick RC	77
23	Clonmel RC	75
24	Carlow RC	74
25	U.C.C. RC	68
26	Galway RC	66
27	Killorglin RC	62.5
28	Garda Siochana BC	54.5
29	Three Castles Rowing Club	53
30	Old Collegians BC	49
31	Cappoquin BC	47
32	St. Josephs College RC	43
33	Presentation College RC	37
34	Lee Valley RC	32
35	Coleraine Academical Institution Boat Club	30
36	Athlunkard BC	29
37	R.B.A.I. Rowing Club	28
38	Tralee RC	26
39	Fossa RC	23
40	Colaiste Chiarain RC	20
41	Grainne Mhaol RC	16
42	Belfast RC	12
42	Workmens RC	12
44	Lagan Scullers Club	11
45	Lady Elizabeth BC	10
46	Graiguenamanagh BC	9
47	Tribesmen RC	8
48	Bantry BC	6
48	Offaly RC	6
50	Blackrock College RC	5
51	Portadown BC	2



Position	Universities in the Grand League: Final Points Table
1	UCD	350
2	Trinity	315
3	Queens	207
4	NUIG	128
5	UL	77
6	UCC	68


Position	Top Provincial Clubs in Final Grand League Points Table
1	Skibbereen RC	664
2	U.C.D. BC	350
7	Bann RC	175
12	NUI Galway BC	128


	Grand League Series Final Points Mens Division 1
Mens Division 1	Final Points After Skibbereen, Queens, Metro and Cork Regattas 2011	Points
1	Skibbereen RC	287
2	U.C.D. BC	125
3	Neptune RC	122
4	Commercial RC	91
5	St. Michaels Rowing Club	84
6	Dublin University BC	83
6	Queens University Belfast BC	83
8	Lee RC	64
9	Carlow RC	56
10	NUI Galway BC	56
11	Castleconnell BC	51
12	Bann RC	50
13	Muckross RC	43
14	Portora Boat Club	37
15	Presentation College RC	31
16	University of Limerick RC	28.5
17	Methodist College RC	25
18	Lee Valley RC	24
19	Fossa RC	23
19	Three Castles Rowing Club	23
21	Cork BC	22
22	Garda Siochana BC	17.5
23	St. Josephs College RC	17
24	Grainne Mhaol RC	16
24	R.B.A.I. Rowing Club	16
26	U.C.C. RC	15
27	Coleraine Academical Institution Boat Club	14
28	Shandon BC	12
29	Carrick-on-Shannon RC	10
29	Lady Elizabeth BC	10
31	Belfast RC	8
32	Clonmel RC	7
33	Workmens RC	5
34	Galway RC	2

	Grand League Series Final Points Mens Division 2
Mens Division 2	Final Points After Skibbereen, Queens, Metro and Cork Regattas 2011	Points
1	St. Michaels Rowing Club	137
2	Neptune RC	120
3	Skibbereen RC	98
4	Dublin University BC	82
5	U.C.D. BC	74
6	Cork BC	73
7	Bann RC	61
8	Shandon BC	54
9	Castleconnell BC	52
10	Commercial RC	49
11	Methodist College RC	48
12	Lee RC	47
13	Fermoy RC	38
14	Queens University Belfast BC	35
15	Cappoquin RC	33
15	U.C.C. RC	33
17	Shannon RC	28
18	Portora Boat Club	27
19	St. Josephs College RC	26
20	Clonmel RC	25
21	University of Limerick RC	21
22	Galway RC	20
23	Carrick-on-Shannon RC	18
23	NUI Galway BC	18
25	Athlunkard BC	17
26	Coleraine Academical Institution Boat Club	16
27	Carlow RC	12
27	R.B.A.I. Rowing Club	12
29	Lagan Scullers Club	11
29	Tralee RC	11
31	Garda Siochana BC	8
31	Lee Valley BC	8
31	Tribesmen RC	8
34	Workmens RC	7
35	Graiguenamanagh BC	6
35	Presentation College Cork	6
37	Blackrock College RC	5
38	Colaiste Chiarain RC	4
39	Muckross RC	1

	Grand League Series Final Points Womens Division 1
Womens Division 1	Final Points After Skibbereen, Queens, Metro and Cork Regattas 2011	Points
1	Skibbereen RC	255
2	U.C.D. BC	123
3	St. Michaels Rowing Club	96
4	Dublin University Ladies BC	93
5	Neptune RC	65
6	Killorglin RC	58.5
7	Shandon BC	47
8	Muckross RC	46
9	Queens University Belfast Ladies BC	44
10	Bann RC	42
11	Commercial RC	36
12	Cork BC	32
13	Old Collegians BC	30
14	Three Castles Rowing Club	30
15	NUI Galway BC	29
16	Portora Boat Club	29
17	Carrick-on-Shannon RC	19
18	OCBC	19
19	Clonmel RC	18
20	University of Limerick RC	17.5
21	Shannon RC	9
22	Methodist College RC	8
23	Fermoy Boat Club	7
24	Offaly RC	6
25	Belfast RC	4
26	Portadown BC	2
27	Athlunkard BC	1

	Grand League Series Final Points Womens Division 2
Womens Division 2	Final Points After Skibbereen, Queens, Metro and Cork Regattas 2011	Points
1	Commercial RC	149
2	Shannon RC	79
3	Cork BC	68
4	Dublin University Ladies BC	58
5	Shandon BC	52
6	Queens University Belfast Ladies BC	45
7	Galway RC	44
8	Fermoy RC	41
9	Lee RC	39
10	U.C.D. BC	37
11	Carrick-on-Shannon RC	33
12	Garda Siochana BC	29
13	Muckross RC	27
14	Clonmel RC	25
14	NUI Galway BC	25
16	Skibbereen RC	24
17	Bann RC	22
18	Colaiste Chiarain RC	16
19	Tralee RC	15
20	Cappoquin RC	14
21	Neptune RC	12
21	St. Michaels Rowing Club	12
23	Athlunkard BC	11
23	U.C.C. RC	11
25	Methodist College RC	10
25	University of Limerick RC	10
27	Portora Boat Club	9
28	Bantry BC	6
28	Carlow RC	6
30	Killorglin RC	4
31	Graiguenamanagh BC	3
32	Castleconnell BC	1

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