‘Common sense must prevail over fish catch quotas,’ says industry

FISHING industry leaders predict that a meeting of EU fisheries ministers beginning this morning will deliver an unanimous rejection of proposed EU catch quotas.

Minister Simon Coveney has already signalled to the EU Commission that the proposed quotas and total annual catches (TACs) — ranging from 15%, 25% and even 100% cuts in key quota species — would decimate the Irish fishing industry. Studies by the Marine Institute and BIM offer scientific evidence to support the sustainable nature of Irish fishing.

A delegation from the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) is accompanying Mr Coveney to Brussels this morning to oppose the cuts proposed by EU Commissioner Maria Damanaki.