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

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.

IRISH fishermen have welcomed the EU’s admission that the common fisheries policy has been a failure and will fully participate in talks to reform it.

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.

A PLAN to revitalise Europe’s fish farming industry after years of stagnation says the business could be a golden opportunity for jobs and production, but red tape must be reduced and planning restrictions eased.

A group of Scottish fishermen who took on the Brussels bureaucracy won their battle today over a clerical error which cost them vital fishing catches.

IRISH fishermen met the European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg yesterday as they warned that proposed fishing cuts would threaten many livelihoods.

Irish MEPs are due to lobby for a change in 2009 fishing quotas when they meet EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg in Brussels today.

FISHERMEN say a large section of the white fish industry will be wiped out if the latest proposals on conserving fish stocks go ahead.

ALMOST 90% of stocks in European waters are overfished because neither fishermen nor the authorities are observing EU rules.

EU fisheries ministers last night agreed a €600 million emergency package for the beleaguered Irish fisheries industry.

AS FISHERIES ministers vow to clamp down on illegal fishing and imports in the European Union, there are growing demands among commercial fishermen for emergency aid.

THE Government will tell the EU it wants more money for the Irish fishing industry when EU Fisheries Ministers meet today.

The crisis facing fishermen across Europe is set to dominate the agenda when EU fisheries ministers meet in Luxembourg later today.

THE Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has called on Ministers Brendan Smith and Tony Killeen to deliver on their undertaking to obtain emergency measures to alleviate the current crisis in the industry.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith is due to hold talks with the EU Maritime Affairs Commissioner today to discuss problems facing Irish fishermen.

FISHERMEN whose livelihoods are threatened because of the big jump in fuel prices are to be thrown a lifeline by the European Commission.

The Minister for Agriculture is to press for a fast and effective response from the EU over the adverse impact of high fuel prices on the Irish fishing industry.

THE fishermen’s blockades of Cork and Waterford ports were called off yesterday after Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Brendan Smith agreed to meet the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) tomorrow. But the fishermen were quick to point out they have not called off their protest, just suspended that aspect of it.

FISHERMEN blockaded Cork and Waterford ports yesterday, continuing their protest at soaring fuel prices and EU fish quotas.

THE impact of soaring fuel costs on Ireland’s fishing industry is to be vigorously pursued by the Government at EU level.

The European Commission today offered a lifeline to fishermen – but ruled out fuel subsidies or higher catch allowances to ease the current economic crisis.

IRISH fishermen are facing financial ruin because of spiralling fuel costs, an EU delegation to west Cork heard yesterday.

IRELAND retains most of its 2007 fish quota for next year despite the European Commission seeking a 25% reduction in a deal that has been criticised by conservation groups who say it will further deplete fish stocks.

A NEW whitefish conservation package, to be announced within days, could lead to the voluntary decommissioning of up to 120 Irish trawlers.

A COMMITMENT to introduce a buy- out scheme for fishing vessels without delay has been given by Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

THE Government plans to decommission a third of the whitefish fleet sector in Ireland, at a cost of about €66 million, according to an application lodged with the European Commission.

The race to replace the dwindling cod.

Irish fishermen say they hope the European Commission will quickly approve the Government's plans for reforming the Irish fishing industry.

A SUBMISSION arguing for greater compensation for salmon draft-net fishermen will be handed to EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg by Fine Gael’s John Deasy and party MEP Simon Coveney in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

FISHERMEN are still raiding the seas and taking 40% more fish than they are allowed to catch each year in some regions, allegedly putting the survival of several species in doubt.

EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg yesterday undertook to study the levels of compensation being offered by the Irish Government to drift net fishermen following the compulsory ban on the fishing method.

The European Fisheries Commissioner is in Dublin today to launch proposals for a new Europe-wide maritime policy.

The European Commission today urged EU governments to live up to international commitments to cut back fish catches to sustainable levels, and help ensure the future survival of stocks.

IRELAND’S fishing industry risks having its mackerel quota slashed by €80 million, the EU has confirmed.

MINISTER Noel Dempsey yesterday strongly stood over his refusal to allow controversial new fisheries legislation to include administrative as well as criminal sanctions.

OVERFISHING continues to be a major problem in the EU - some stocks are threatened with extinction - and Ireland had one of the worst records for 2004, according to the EU.

Over 300 fishing boats were on course for the country’s main ports today to stage a protest to demand changes to the controversial Fisheries Bill.

IRELAND had the worst record in Europe for breaching EU fishing quotas, according to the European Commission.

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 plans to send fishing boats destined for the breaker’s yard to tsunami-devastated areas to help relaunch an industry decimated by the disaster.

FISHERY associations have given a guarded welcome to the fish quotas for 2005 agreed by the European Union after all-night talks.

Protesters demanding the return of fishing policy to national governments took the campaign to Brussels today at the start of talks on more restrictions for the beleaguered UK fleet.