Fish imports and exports continue to rise
Print24 June 2020
Fish imports into Ireland from outside the EU are continuing to rise, according to figures released by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, the state body responsible for regulating the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors.
In 2019 over 4,000 tonnes of fishery products were subject to SFPA import controls, up 26% on 2018. Fish and fishery products that are traded into the European Union are subject to specific regulatory controls to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fish and fishery products from entering the food supply chain. Anti-IUU regulations were introduced as part of EU measures to tackle the estimated €1.1 billion in IUU products that were imported into the EU annually.
Under EU regulations, all imports of fish from third countries (countries outside the EU) must be accompanied by a catch certificate which confirms that the fish was caught and declared legally, including where and when the fish was caught and by which vessel. Last year, the SFPA provided catch certificates for over 11,500 tonnes of Irish exports to third countries, an increase of 8% on 2018. Additionally, it provided health certificates for almost 84,000 tonnes of exports to third countries. These certificates confirm that the products were handled under satisfactory hygienic conditions in an SFPA approved establishment and are accurately described.
“IUU fishing is a significant threat to the future of fishing,” said Dr Susan Steele, chair of the SFPA. “It creates an uneven playing field and jeopardises the development of sustainable fisheries on which many coastal communities globally rely for their livelihoods, including in Ireland where the fishing industry supports over 11,000 jobs. As regulators, we are committed to utilising all the controls available to us to help detect and deter IUU fishing and fishery products within our jurisdiction.
“Regulation, including health certification, also underpins confidence in the safety of Irish seafood products, providing vital reassurance to retailers, hospitality businesses and consumers at home and abroad,” added Dr Steele. “This is especially important given that the seafood sector is one of the main drivers of export growth for agri-food within Food Wise 2025.
“With the world eating more fish than ever before, and a forecast that consumption will increase to 30 kilos per person by 2030, the opportunity exists for exports of seafood to increase substantially beyond the current figure of over €650 million. Retaining Ireland’s growing reputation for producing superior seafood is essential and the integrity of the supply chain will be all-important.”
Dr Steele noted that everyone in the supply chain has a role to play in protecting it: “This includes importers and exporters who can ensure the goods they handle have the correct documentation. It may be difficult to distinguish between a legally and illegally obtained fish, however robust inspection processes and accurate paperwork will tell the tale.”
Fish and fishery products from China, Ecuador and India accounted for almost half of the total volume of imports in 2019 while Nigeria, China and Egypt accounted for almost two thirds of the Irish seafood exports outside the EU in 2019.
Dr Steele confirmed that the SFPA is anticipating and preparing for the possibility that exports to the UK may require health certificates in the future. During the current transition period EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to and in the UK and there will be no immediate changes for import or export practices with the UK until after the end of the transition period.
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