THE furore caused by the arrival of supertrawlers off our coast is justified but it is significant that those opposing these destructive, industrial-scale harvesters did not find their voice until these machines set their huge nets off our shores. 

As the first whitecoat seal pups begin to appear around the country’s coast, the Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) has warned that seals are at increased risk of being attacked by humans.

The Irish Fish Producing Organisation is rejecting reports that a large scale illegal fishing scam is operating in Irish waters.

THE threat of further port blockades by scallop fishermen evaporated yesterday as the Government announced a €45m scheme to remove a quarter of the Irish whitefish fleet.

THE €9 million allocated by the Government to reduce the number of fishing boats because of a shortage of whitefish will have to be trebled, the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) warned yesterday.

THE fishing industry serves this country well, but too often its well-being has been ill-considered to the extent that those engaged in it could justifiably feel that theirs was the cinderella industry.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to meet fishing representatives later today to discuss what they say is a threat to their livelihoods.

THE Government is prepared to take Spain to the European Court if its fishermen try to catch stocks off the Irish coast, Marine Minister Dermot Ahern warned yesterday.