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It is now absolutely clear that the British and Irish governments are determined to obtain entry -into the Common Market. It appears that they are not interested in holding out for concessions for our industry with respect to the Common Market Fisheries Policy.
There is only one real drawback to this Policy. In its original,draft form it included a proposal that the coastal waters of all member nations of the Common Market would be equally available for fishing operations by vessels of all member States. In order to safeguard certain local fisheries where the men depend wholly upon a certain fishery for their livelihood and where the operation: Of additional'vessels, might cause them hardship through over fishing, a sub-clause was inserted allowing such fishermen as those to have exclusive fishing rights to that area for a limited period.
This sub-clause was thrown out by a body that went into the proposed Policy very thoroughly last year and the proposals were put forward for ratification. It was only recently that the draft-policy was ratified and made law. Oddly enough the sub-clause had been re-inserted into the Policy.
It appears that this one concession might well be the point upon which the E.E.C. is hoping to persuade the British and Irish governments (in addition to Norway, etc.) to accept the present Policy as such and not to hold out for further concessions.
Conceivably areas such as the Minch in Scotland might fall under the said sub-clause but the final word as to whether it does lies with those in charge of the running of the Fisheries Policy. What say would Britain have in such a decision?
As far as we can see ^he decision would be made by a majority of the persons responsible for such decisions, and with perhaps just single votes from Britain or Ireland. Judging by the performance by the British Ministry men in the negotiations so far as far as fisheries are concerned we can only shudder at the thought of what dynamic personality would be representing us on this subject. And also at the sway he would have over the others from the Common Market countries.
If this is to be the point' that the Governments of Britain and Ireland are hoping to bring out to placate our industry, then they are likely to find themselves on a very thin tight-rope indeed.
It is up to the industry itself not to simply adopt an apathetic attitude towards coming events and consider that they can do nothing to help alter already-made decisions. No-one is going to fight on our behalf. We must continue to make it plain to the Governments of Britain and Ireland the dire consequences that would befall us were our limits to disappear. There cap now be very few persons in the industry who cannot foresee the consequences of such events taking place.
Attempts are being made by various bodies throughout the British Isles to try and influence the Government to take heed' of these worries by the industry. But as well-meaning as they may be'they will do little good while they are-of an individual nature without proper co-ordination throughout the 'industry.
What is needed now is a unified approach by all those in the industry, associations and bodies representing as many sections as possible, to come together in a powerful pressure group and^make it quite clear to the Government the dire consequences of the sharing of our coastal waters with the hundreds of vessels from the Continents.
The entry of Britain and Ireland into the Common Market would certainly lead to many benefits for our industry. Better markets and better prices would almost certainly come our way. But these would be useless if after a few years exploitation our grounds would then be completely barren. And there is no doubt that this would be the case. We have the glaring examples of some of the Continental and Scandinavian countries right before our eyes. Of this we can have no doubt.
Let us continue to put every pressure we can on all those in any way connected with our Governments and especially those directly connected with the E.E.C. negotiations. There must be no let-up or weakening in our stand. The history of our industry will show just what sort of people are leading us at present. We must make sure that we are not led like lambs to the slaughter.
Source: Peter Brady
Commercial Fishing
1970
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