Ireland's whitefish quota boosted by 10% in all-night EU talks; prawn quota up 8%

Ireland's whitefish quota has increased by 10% and the quota for prawns has increased by 8% after all-night talks.

The deal was secured early this morning following two days of talks at the EU Fisheries Council in Brussels.

The prawn fishery is Ireland's most important whitefish fishery and was facing a 10% cut going into the negotiations.

Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney described the outcome as very positive for Ireland, considering the reducations that had been proposed by the European Commission.

He said the additional 10% of white fish would be worth €10m to the economy.

Qupte breakdown

There will be a 26% increase in the quota for megrim in the northwest, as well as 20% for monkfish and 42% for haddock.

The haddock quota in the Irish Sea will see a 40% increase.

In the south and west, there will be a 26% increase in whiting and a 21% increase in the hake quota.

A 48% increase in quota was agreed for the horse mackerel quota in the north and west, or just over 32,000 tonnes in 2016.

But there will be a reduction in quota for cod in the Irish Sea and off the west coast. The boarfish and sole quotas have also been reduced in the Irish Sea.