FISHERMEN, politicians and environmentalists welcomed the EU agreement on fishing quotas for next year, signalling a change in attitudes within the industry.

IRISH fishermen are confident of hauling in an extra €14 million to €20m in 2007 following annual quota-fixing talks in Brussels which ended early yesterday.

IRISH fishermen can expect a 15% increase in their income next year after a deal was reached on the amount of fish they can take out of the sea at marathon negotiations in Brussels.

Europe’s fishermen are to be given a key role in assessing the state of dwindling stocks, the European Commission announced this afternoon.