Inshore fishermen warn livelihood is on a tight line

Inshore fishermen in Leenan Pier, Inishowen, County Donegal, are warning that their livelihoods are under increasing strain as rising operational costs squeeze profit margins. Fisherman Robert Kearney described a typical August catch, consisting of high-quality soft-shell crabs destined for China and lobsters intended for France. The catch, though seemingly profitable, highlights the precarious financial situation facing local fishermen. According to Mr. Kearney, the cost of fuel and bait alone for a single day’s operation reached €800, a sharp increase compared to four years ago when similar expenses were around €400. He noted that the price of shellfish has dropped significantly, currently at roughly half the level it was five years prior. The economic pressures extend beyond just fuel and bait. Mr. Kearney emphasized that the entire business model is under siege. With a crew of four, comprising his brothers and sons, the financial burden of maintaining operations has grown substantially. “We’ve bait. We’ve diesel. It’s so tight,” he said, underscoring the difficulty of sustaining a family-run business in such conditions. For many, the challenge is compounded by the need to keep a stable workforce, as retaining skilled labor becomes harder amid broader economic uncertainty. The boat serves as a family workplace, with generations of Kearneys contributing to its operation. However, Mr. Kearney expressed concern over the sustainability of such models. He warned that if current trends continue, the future of the inshore fleet could reach a breaking point. “If it goes any further, I would nearly call it Armageddon for the inshore fleet, that’s how tight it is,” he said. The situation is particularly dire given the broader challenges faced by the sector, including the impacts of the pandemic, Brexit, and ongoing conflicts affecting global seafood trade. Beyond individual concerns, the economic ripple effects of the fishing industry are significant. Leenan Pier and surrounding areas, including Glengad, Bunagee, Malin Head Pier, and Fanad, support a wide range of ancillary businesses, from shops and fuel suppliers to hauliers and processors. Mr. Kearney estimated that for every job on a fishing vessel, there are three jobs on land, highlighting the importance of the sector to the local economy. This interdependence means that the decline of inshore fishing could have far-reaching consequences for the region. Government initiatives aimed at alleviating these pressures include the Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme, introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Operated by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the scheme provides financial relief to offset increased fuel costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Payments began in July and continued through August, with over €8.5 million already distributed to 397 applicants. Final payments are projected to amount to approximately €9.8 million once all administrative checks are completed. A separate scheme for aquaculture businesses, launched on 24 June and closed for applications on 8 July, is also being processed under the EU Commission’s Temporary Crisis Framework. Despite these measures, Mr. Kearney and others argue that the process remains overly bureaucratic. He criticized the complexity of accessing subsidies, noting that the paperwork involved felt akin to a “week at school.” Simplifying these procedures, he suggested, could make a meaningful difference in supporting struggling fishermen. Additionally, he highlighted the need for greater support in attracting younger generations to the profession, as fewer young people are choosing to enter the trade. “We want to pass it onto the next generation,” he said, expressing hope that improved conditions might encourage new entrants to the industry.