MEPs have backed the biggest reform plan in the history of the EU's fisheries policy, vowing to restore fish stocks and return profitability to fishing communities.

The biggest shake-up in the history of the EU’s fisheries policy will massively boost fish stocks and fishermen’s incomes and create a third more jobs in the sector, it was claimed last night.

The European Commission’s position on managing cod stocks has moved closer to Ireland’s interests, but negotiations on fishing quota restrictions are proving more difficult, according to Marine Minister Simon Coveney.

Agreement on how a fisheries fund of approximately €6bn will be allocated among EU Member States was reached in Luxembourg today following two days of negotiations at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, is visiting several EU capitals to build alliances on forthcoming reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Plans to reform Europe's fishing industry would not stop the destruction of fish stocks for at least another decade, campaigners claimed today.

We don’t have to step too far back from the turmoil threatening parts of the European Union to see that EU membership has been a hugely positive experience for Ireland.

FISHING representative groups have warned that current proposals for reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) could further threaten an already ailing industry.

The value of Europe’s struggling fishing industry will almost double in a decade to €2.95bn under sweeping reform plans unveiled.

UNTENABLE mackerel fishing by Iceland and the Faroe Islands must be resisted, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney told European Maritime Affairs Commissioner Maria Damanaki at a special meeting in Luxembourg.

IRELAND and Scotland have insisted that the EU stops using their fish quotas in swap deals with Norway, and instead introduce a communal EU fish pool for future trading.

EUROPE is consuming far more fish than its waters can now provide, leaving it reliant on fish caught elsewhere in the world, a report has claimed.

Europe is consuming far more fish than its waters can now provide, leaving it reliant on fish caught elsewhere in the world, a report said today.

Europe’s fisheries chief today suggested scrapping annual catch limits – the backbone of the controversial Common Fisheries Policy for a quarter of a century.

A SIGNIFICANT meeting of fishermen will take place at Cork Airport tomorrow to plot a campaign to secure a no vote in the Lisbon referendum.

The European Commission has invited “each and every citizen” to submit their views on plans for a massive reform of Europe’s ailing fisheries policy.

Scientists are unaware of the state of nearly two-thirds of Europe's fish stocks, the European Commission admitted this afternoon.

The European Commission today warned that nothing short of a completely new fisheries management system would halt years of dangerously depleted stocks and get the struggling fishing industry back on its feet.

The European Commission will deliver a hammer blow to the remains of Europe’s fishing fleet tomorrow.

IRELAND wants closed areas for fishing off the south coast to protect cod stock and not a closed fishing day regime (limiting days spent at sea) as proposed by the EU.

DESPITE cuts in fish quotas, fishermen were urged yesterday by industry leaders to support the Nice Treaty.