Dáil committee rejects eel fishing ban

THE eel fishing industry, with an annual catch worth up to e750,000, is to cease from the end of next month following action by the EU to conserve stocks.

But the move has been rejected by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs and criticised by other politicians, and by the industry itself.

Ireland submitted, as required, an eel management plan to the European Commission for approval to help eel stocks recover to a sustainable level.