Plans to cut back further on cod fishing ‘will decimate Irish fisheries’
EU Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler said the latest scientific evidence is that cod stocks are at an all-time low, especially in the North Sea off Scotland, the Eastern Channel and the north west of Ireland.
"We are facing a catastrophe," he said.
Tomorrow, EU fisheries ministers are expected to support the commission's plan to abolish the Irish Box and allow the Spanish fleet access to the waters around Ireland, although both Ireland and Spain are set to vote against it.
Connacht Ulster MEP Seán Ó Neachtáin, a member of the European Parliament Fisheries Committee, said the result will be to wipe out the Irish fishing industry.
"The Irish industry is constantly being curtailed and the latest moves beggar belief. The commission seem to be listening only to the big players and are not taking into account the effect on areas like the west of Ireland," he said.
Last week, the European Parliament voted by three to one in favour of retaining the Irish Box and restricting access to the huge Spanish fleet.
However, the parliament can only offer advice on the issue, although the vote strengthens Marine Minister Dermot Ahern's arguments.
Mr Ó Neachtáin accused the commission of acting for political reasons.
"They are willing to open up the most sensitive waters the Irish Box because of political pressure from bigger countries."
He disagreed also with Mr Fischler's plan to further cut back on cod fishing and said neither the commission nor their scientists are working with the fishing communities and are not listening to the evidence of those most in touch with the reality the fishermen.
"We do not accept the scientists' advice about cod. There is a huge difference between what the scientists and the fishermen are saying about cod and we do not accept the scientists' advice.
"But what is certain is that any further cutbacks on cod fishing will be a further blow to Irish fishermen. The net result will be to put them out of business."
However, Fine Gael MEP Joe McCartin said the root cause of the current fishery problems is the failure of the national governments to support the commission in its fisheries policies.
