Displaying items by tag: EUBrexit

16th October 2020

Energy Market EU is to Leverage in Brexit Talks Over UK Fishery Access

The fisheries negotiations have been stalled with the EU seeking to retain as much access to UK waters as possible. AFLOAT adds trawlers berthed at Castletownbere, Co. Cork along with the blue hulled 62 ton bollard pull tug Ocean Challenger operated by Atlantic Marine & Towage.

As RTE News undertands the European Union is considering making a more explicit link between energy and fish as Brexit negotiations enter a critical phase.

A number of sources have confirmed that the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier will seek to use the leverage of the EU's energy market as a potential way of unblocking the UK's resistance to granting European fishing fleets ongoing access to British waters.

It is understood Mr Barnier has privately acknowledged a potential link between continued access to the EU's energy market which diplomats say is potentially highly valuable to the UK and the fisheries aspect of the negotiations, which remains deadlocked.

"The position of the UK [on fish] is quite strong," an EU official said, "but there are also connections. Sometimes the UK is interested in having access to [the single market] on energy."

One EU diplomat told RTÉ News: "The energy market is considerably more valuable to [the UK] than the entire fish stock that they're talking about. Barnier seems to have paused the discussions on energy for the moment, and this link has been made with fish."

More on this political development of the negotiations here.

Published in Fishing

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.