Killybegs in Donegal is one of Ireland's main seafood hubs.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has launched a new Food Vision Seafood Sector Group in response to sharply reduced fishing opportunities for the country in 2026, following EU quota decisions taken in December.
The group was formally introduced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley. It will operate under the umbrella of the Irish Government’s Food Vision 2030 strategy and is tasked with assessing the pressures facing Ireland’s catch fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors.
The move follows significant reductions in Total Allowable Catches (TACs) agreed at the December AgriFish Council. Ireland faces a 70% advised cut to mackerel – its most valuable pelagic stock – alongside a 41% reduction in blue whiting and a 22% cut in boarfish quotas. The scientific advice underpinning the decisions was issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.
Dooley described the outcome of the December negotiations as "extremely disappointing for Ireland," and acknowledged the economic strain now confronting coastal communities. The new group has been asked to develop a framework of measures to help stabilise the sector during what is expected to be a challenging year.
“Food Vision 2030 is my Department’s strategy on positioning Ireland’s agri-food sector as a world leader in sustainable food systems,” Heydon said, adding that fishermen, aquaculture producers and processors are central to delivering that ambition.
Dooley said the meeting marked a clear commitment to addressing the fallout from the quota reductions, stating that the aim is to draw on the “collective experience and expertise” of industry stakeholders to identify practical supports.
Michael Berkery, former General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Association, has been appointed independent chair of the group and will prepare a chairman’s report by June.
Industry representation at the inaugural meeting included Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, Irish Fish Producers Organisation, Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation, Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, National Inshore Fisherman’s Association, IFA Aquaculture and Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association.