A new permit scheme will give non-EEA migrant fishermen the same rights as EU crew members has been announced in Ireland. It has been welcomed by the Irish Fish Producers Organisation.
The Celtic League started campaigning on this issue seven years ago after stories of abuse suffered by migrant fishermen working in Ireland, Britain and globally. We worked with Ian Urbina then a journalist with the New York Times. Ian now campaigns independently for migrant seafarers globally
In 2015 I wrote to the EU Commissioner urging that the exploitation be investigated and ended (see link):
https://www.facebook.com/…/a.806379472…/931150820267013/
We followed this up two years later with correspondence to the Minister for Justice in Ireland (see link):
https://www.facebook.com/…/a.80637947…/2109626569086093/
In 2015 we also called for action in correspondence to the International Maritime Organisation.
Bernard Moffatt
AGS Celtic League (12 January 2023)
