Proposal to ban whitefish fisheries
Thursday, 13 November 2008 14:07
The European Commission has proposed the banning of all whitefish fisheries off the northwest coast.
In a further blow to the fishing industry, the Commission wants to reduce catches of the major species taken by the Irish fleet by up to 25%.
There is always haggling before the annual December review of fish catches.
However, this year the EU Fisheries Commission is particularly severe towards an already depleted Irish fishing industry, where a third of the fleet is being removed, with boats being broken up in Northern Ireland, Belgian and Danish yards.
Ports on the northwest coast, such as Killybegs, have already suffered high unemployment.
The Irish prawn quota would also be cut by 15% and other species taken by the Irish fleet by up to a quarter.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen has reacted angrily and says the Commission is acting in a reckless, misguided, unjustified and counterproductive way that will cause harm to many Irish fishermen.
It has called on the Government to defend the fishing industry and its vital role in coastal areas.
