Fishing levels 'seriously threatening the sustainability of industry'

Calls are being made for pressure to be increased on Iceland and the Faroe Islands over their fishing of mackerel in the North Atlantic.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which met today, says current fishing levels are seriously threatening the sustainability of the industry in Ireland.

It's in advance of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels later this month, where EU Total Allowable Catches and quotas for 2013 will be decided.

Minister Simon Coveney told the committee that he will work in closely with the fishing industry and other stakeholders at the meeting to deliver appropriate quotas for Ireland.