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Representation in Ireland
  • 31 May 2024

Fisheries in Ireland

The interests of Ireland’s fishermen, fishing communities, the marine environment and consumers of fish products are supported by being part of the European Union and working together with other Member States to protect our seas and oceans.  

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)

Benefits of the CFP

  • The CFP is phasing out discarding, the practice of throwing unwanted fish overboard either because they are too small or the fisherman has no quota for the catch.
  • The CFP places the EU as a frontrunner in the global fight against illegal unreported and unregulated fishing through international fisheries law.
  • The EU is taking action to combat the estimated eight million tonnes of plastics that end up in the sea each year, much of it from the fishing industry.
  • The Common Organisation of the Markets (COM) pillar of the CFP helps promote the quality and sustainability of European seafood. It’s also designed to protect producers and ensure a level playing field for all fishery products sold in the EU, regardless of origin.

The Common Fisheries Policy

Oceans and fisheries 

Fishing quotas 

Questions and Answers on the Common Fisheries Policy today and tomorrow  

Funding for Fisheries

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is the main financial instrument used to provide funding to implement the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the EU Maritime Policy. It also contributes to achieving the goals of the EU agenda for international ocean governance.

The EMFAF covers the period from 2021 to 2027 and it provides support for innovative projects that ensure aquatic and maritime resources are used sustainably. Some of the funding is used to help fishermen transition to sustainable fishing methods and vessels and to help coastal communities diversify their economies.

The fund co-finances projects with Member States and each country is allocated a share of the budget based on the size of its fishing industry.

“I am delighted to announce the adoption of the EMFAF programme for Ireland. The programme aims to boost the resilience of the entire seafood sector, to accelerate its green transition, as well as to support the coastal communities. The programme will also enhance knowledge to deal with climate change and impacts on marine biodiversity.”

Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius

The Irish EMFAF Programme has funding of €258.4 million with the EU contributing €142.4 million and the Irish Government providing €116 million. As well as contributing to objectives outlined in the EU Green Deal and the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies, the programme seeks to address long-term structural reforms needed to mitigate Brexit’s impact on the Irish seafood sector. The Irish government has stated that Ireland’s seafood sector benefited from almost €308 million in funding from the EU’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) for development and restructuring schemes.

Under the previous European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which ran from 2014-2020, Ireland had access to funding of €239.2 million.

European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 

European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund Ireland 2021-2027 

Seafood sector Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Ireland 2014-2020

Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs)

Fish facts

Latest fisheries news