Full coverage: Fisheries

The Donegal fishing business Atlantic Dawn has survived the sudden death of its founder and increasing environmental scrutiny of large trawlers. Yet Karl McHugh, the second-generation leader of the group, warns that it is now under severe threat after Irish mackerel quotas were sacrificed in the trade deal between the EU and the UK.

The EU is generally seen to have had Ireland’s back until the very end of Brexit negotiations. As they stare into quota cuts and supply chain disruption, fishermen and seafood processors feel they are the exception.

The first stumbling block in Brexit negotiations starting today is fisheries, illustrating a deeper rift between the EU and the UK on how to approach an unprecedented large-scale, close-range free trade agreement.