Deep Sea Politics: From Gang Fishing to Greenwashing in NI Water

By Carmen Gray

When most of us read the word ‘politics’, the image of expansive blue seas doesn’t immediately come to mind. However, in the wake of David Attenborough’s Oceans documentary, the unseen world of marine conservation, and its political entanglement with industry, legislation, and public opinion, has surged into public consciousness. Through research, interviews and mind-numbing internet rabbit holes, this article attempts to bring awareness to the reality of marine conservation in Northern Ireland.

Living on the coast near Strangford, I have seen firsthand just some of the impacts, both positive and negative, of extensive fishing in Northern Ireland. The ability to source local food from our Lough’s is a privilege we often undervalue, contributing to the local economy and businesses. Along the coastal towns, a short drive from my house, you will find Dundrum, Annalong, Kilkeel and Ballyhornan. These towns are brimming with seafood restaurants; both high end options and local chippy’s, which rely almost entirely on local fishing for their produce and livelihood.

The importance of fishing, historically and traditionally, is also relevant in statistics. In 2021 the UK and Northern Ireland found that agriculture, forestry and fishing employment made up 0.8% of the UK workforce [1], whereas in comparison, it made up 2.1% of the NI workforce [2]. Whilst agriculture may account for some of this, it seems undeniable that with as much coast as is present on our Island that fishing is too a significant contributor. Interestingly, approximately 77% of Northern Ireland’s fishing takes place in county Down. Of this, 32% takes place in Kilkeel [3]. Famously called the ‘fishing capital of Northern Ireland’, Kilkeel harbour was built in the 1800’s and has maintained its identity as a fishing town ever since.

Recognising how much of the Northern Irish hospitality and employment industries rely on fishing, surely the method necessitates sustainability. Sustainability is a buzz word often misused, but in this context, the essence of the word applies. For local businesses, jobs and produce levels to maintain stability, the way in which we source our fish must be maintainable for the foreseeable future.

Whether this is the case in Northern Ireland is strongly debatable. To better my understanding of sustainable fishing, I spoke to Roderick Solan, a representative of Dundrun, a Norwegian seafood company. Norway, with its advanced approach to sustainable fishing, offered a valuable point of comparison for Northern Ireland’s developing strategies. Dundrun are committed to working with local fishermen in their districts to produce sustainably fished seafood for the Nordic regions. Asking Roderick his advice for NI, a smaller Island with more condensed fishing, he summarised in one phrase- ‘fish less, and charge more for it’.

This opinion, however, is less simple that it seems on the surface. Through research I have learnt that Northern Ireland, whilst small in size, faces outsized complexities when it comes to sustainable fishing.

The central issue for Northern Ireland seems to lie between conservationists, industry leaders, and the communities who rely on the sea to live.

To gain a deeper understanding of this tension, I spoke to Robert Walsh, a representative of the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force (NIMTF). NIMTF are a coalition of non–government environmental organisations working together to preserve marine life in Northern Ireland.

Robert gave me a comprehensive background of the issues circling Northern Irish fishing and industry. He began by assuring that NIMTF are ‘not here to say there shouldn’t be fishing’, but the deep tradition of fishing in Northern Ireland is often what leads to conflict. Robert explained that ‘the relationship between fisheries and the environmental sector is quite unique’. He explained that due to the size of NI, despite their ‘often conflicting interests’, fisheries and environmental groups were consistently in such close proximity that a new system was set up.

This new system, I discovered, is ‘Co-fish’. Co-fish is an alliance between fisheries and environmental groups, which encourages consistent meetings and open dialogue between conflicting groups which typically would not meet. Robert, as the current chair, explained how the small size of this Island forced together the two opposing groups. This organisation is highly unusual, as often in larger societies conflicting groups are able to maintain distance and refuse cooperation.

Co-Fish has served as a roaring success. Consistently operating, Robert explained that the unique nature of Co-Fish has led to it acting as a model for fishing alliance groups worldwide and has been cited in Oceana for its significance in international conversations.

This provided me with a lot of hope for the future of the Northern Irish fishing industry. It often seems that any international recognition attained by Northern Ireland is far from positive, and our ability to bring new life into a struggling section of industry is a positive accolade if we ever knew one.

However, Robert did emphasise that whilst our success in some areas is undeniable- we are far from where we could and perhaps should be.

One issue we talked about was that of ‘Policy Theatre’- that is, to put measures in place for show, regardless to their true impact on the issue. One example of this, he emphasized, was the 2023 ban on trawling. In 2023, trawling, a form of fishing which involves dragging along the seabed, was banned in 9 of our 47 Marine Protected Areas [4]. On paper, this is fantastic. Recent legislation tackling real issues is key in all areas of policy. However, Robert explained the truth behind the legislation.

‘There is evidence to suggest…’, Robert emphasised, ‘…that trawling was never happening in those areas in the first place’.

The banning, it seemed, was more a bid to seem ahead in environmental protection, whilst many of the real issues are swept under the rug. According to Robert this is a particularly bad sign, as many of the real issues may be existing under the surface and directly impacting our environmental and the health of our food. One of these issues is data- ‘murky’ was the word Robert used to describe the data surrounding Northern Irish waters. He expressed the difficulty in creating legislation with lacking evidence and incomplete studies. He pointed to a recent study which suggested that trawling was in fact, a safe form of fishing in Northern Ireland- and that the lacking resources and basis to the study could lead to a dangerous path of encouraging trawling here.

He also noted the very real issue of ‘gang-fishing’- groups that come to beaches in Northern Ireland to illegally fish and sell for profit. The key problem in this respect, he explained, was hygiene- particularly surrounding shellfish. He noted that ‘We have a photo from a reputable source, of hand-fished periwinkle sitting next to open sewage flow’. He estimated that about 60% of this illegally fished produce gets sold internationally for profit, whilst the rest may end up in Northern Ireland. The hygiene issues and the lack of traceability, he explained, make this such a pressing issue for Northern Ireland.

We finished by discussing what readers could do on an individual level, if they were interested in local sustainable fishing. ‘Chat to your local fishermen’, Robert suggested, noting the high level of ‘fear mongering’ present around these discussions. Speaking to those on the front lines, to get a better understanding of the issue, can help us all to become better educated.

From research, and speaking to Roderick and Robert, it has become clear that the issue of fishing in Northern Ireland is a pressing one. The policy-theatre demonstrated in our policies suggests a true lack of urgency from our policymakers, and the desire to be seen as legislating is seemingly dominating over that to effectively do so. From all my research I took one thing to heart- the facade of sustainability and effectivity in our fishing is just that- and by the time that facade is removed, so may well be our chance at effective, sustainable fishing.

References:

[1] Office for National Statistics, Employment by Sector, Ethnicity Facts & Figures, 27 July 2022, https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/work-pay-and-benefits/employment/employment-by-sector/latest/.

[2] Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Statistical Review of Northern Ireland Agriculture 2021,  Belfast: DAERA, 2022, https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/daera/22.23.050%20Stats%20Review%20for%202021%20Final%20V2.pdf.

[3] Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland), “FSH0010 – Evidence on Brexit and Northern Ireland: Fisheries”, Written evidence submitted to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, Annex A, para. 8, 7 June 2018, https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/91449/html/.

[4] Carr, Grace, “Northern Ireland Miles Ahead of Republic in Protecting Inshore Waters”, Irish Wildlife Trust, March 30 2023, https://iwt.ie/northern-ireland-miles-ahead-of-republic-in-protecting-inshore-waters/.