European fishing leaders are meeting in Killybegs, Ireland, this week, where new EU control rules are set to dominate discussions. The annual general meeting of the European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO) opens at Ireland’s largest fishing port, hosted by the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) and the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO).

Delegates from 17 producer organisations across 10 EU states, alongside senior European Commission officials, will debate urgent challenges for the sector. Top of the list is the impact of controversial EU fisheries control regulations.

Concerns over red tape and landings

Fishing leaders argue that while robust controls are vital for sustainability and food security, the proposed measures risk creating unnecessary costs and bureaucracy.

According to Irish representatives, the current control regime is already discouraging foreign vessels from landing in Irish ports.

Figures from the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority show Irish vessels made more than 95 per cent of landings in Irish ports in 2024. However, foreign quota landings dropped by 58 per cent, with processors in Killybegs warning of a sharp impact on jobs.

“This system is broken,” said Aodh O Donnell, Chief Executive of IFPO. “Our ports should be magnets for landings, but the rules have had the opposite effect. Reform at the EU level is urgently needed to restore confidence, competitiveness, and jobs in coastal communities.”

Local impact and calls for reform

The Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association reported that almost 39,000 tonnes of Ireland’s quota were landed abroad last year. This trend, they argue, is starving Irish plants of vital supplies.

KFO Chief Executive Dominic Rihan warned that quotas and sustainability rules must be realistic. “Our members want to fish responsibly and keep business here in Ireland, but they need workable rules that reflect the realities of fishing,” he said.

Wider challenges for Europe’s fisheries

The Killybegs meeting comes ahead of crucial 2026 quota negotiations, with zero-catch advice for some whitefish species and concerns over mackerel overfishing by non-EU fleets. Delegates will also discuss offshore wind farm developments, the spread of marine protected areas, and the ongoing review of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Meetings during the week will include talks with European Commission officials, local politicians, and industry leaders, including Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

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