Concerns in Waterford as fishing industry ‘dangerously close to point of no return’

The fishing industry in County Waterford is “dangerously close to the point of no return”, the Dáil has heard.

Sinn Féin Waterford TD Conor McGuinness spoke on the subject during a recent debate on fishing quotas.

Deputy McGuinness said: “The Minister of State does not need me to tell him that 2,300 jobs, at a conservative estimate, in our coastal communities are in jeopardy because of the quota deal reached in December 2025.

“The wider economic hit could reach €200 million. In ports like Dunmore East in my home county of Waterford, families are asking whether there is a future for them and their industry.

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“When you step back and look at the decisions and attitudes of successive governments, their actions and, more critically, their inaction, it is impossible not to arrive at a conclusion that what we are witnessing now is the outworking of a managed decline and a slow, steady concentration and then reduction of our indigenous fishing industry.”

He continued by criticising the Government for not protesting against the fishing quotas imposed by the European Commission in December.

He outlined how these quotas are leaving Ireland's fishing industry worse off when compared to its European counterparts.

“Let us take one example. Belgium can catch 450 tonnes of sole in Irish waters but the entire Irish fleet is left with just 28 tonnes.

“Belgium has less than half the coastline of Waterford but it has 450 tonnes of sole in Irish waters, while the Irish fishing fleet is left with just 28 tonnes.

“This is a recurring pattern across fisheries. It affects mackerel, prawns and other key stocks.”

Deputy McGuinness acknowledged that why conservation is important, Irish fishermen must be allowed fair access to Irish waters. He went on to outline the situation in County Waterford in particular.

“The Minister of State knows I come from a coastal community and county. I represent communities where fishing is not just an item or economic activity but a living tradition.

“Families in Dunmore East, Helvick, Passage East, Bunmahon and all along our coast have given generations to this industry.

“It is skilled, dangerous and honest work that underpins processors, hauliers, chandlers and small local businesses right across the south east.

“It is now dangerously close to the point of no return; some would argue it is long past that. That is why we need urgent action.”

Deputy McGuinness concluded by welcoming the taskforce which has been set up by Minister of State Timmy Dooley.

However, he insisted that this taskforce should’ve been setup a long time ago and called for more swift action to be taken.