The key components of the problems affecting the fisheries sector were already apparent at the time: overcapacity of the fishing fleet, weakened stocks and ecosystems, growing difficulty for fishermen to turn a profit on their work tool.
Ag an am sin, leoga, bhí príomheilimintí na ndeacrachtaí atá ag cur as do dhomhan an iascaigh le fáil cheana: róthoilleadh na loingeas iascaigh, stoic agus éiceachórais leochaileacha, agus é ag rith níos deacra leis na hiascairí brabús a bhaint as a n-uirlis oibre.