Uneasy sea-bedfellows: Oceans of conflict around fishing and conservation

Uneasy sea-bedfellows: Oceans of conflict around fishing and conservation examines how collapsing fish stocks are intensifying the tension between fishing livelihoods and marine recovery efforts. The article cites major problems in Europe’s North Atlantic, noting that last year cuts of up to 70% for mackerel were recommended after the species collapsed, and that this year ICES advised stopping plaice fishing in the Irish Sea due to very low numbers. It links reduced prey availability to fewer whale sightings along the Irish coast, including a young fin whale washed up dead on the Cork coast in May, reportedly unable to feed for some time because of extremely poor nutritional status. While area closures and removing damaging gear such as trawls and dredges can lead to fish rebound over roughly a decade, the article says many fishers fear the timeline is too long to sustain incomes. It also describes a proposal from the National Inshore Fisheries Association for a basic income, and notes Ireland’s biodiversity responsibilities fall to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), within a government department.