Fishermen set to sink EU plan to open up Irish Box

COMMERCIAL fishermen are to resist a Brussels’ proposal which could increase the presence of foreign boats in Irish waters.

A controversial document on fishery management revisions is to be discussed at next week’s meeting of fishery ministers. The industry has warned its recommendations have implications for the Irish Box. Currently, restrictions limit foreign vessels operating within the highly-sensitive fishing grounds.

Concerned about a likely deletion of the current Irish Box boundaries, the Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation (ISWFO) said the document will not satisfy the demands of the industry to safeguard stock conservation within the zone.

Jason Whooley, who heads the ISWFO, said: “We were aware of behind-the-scenes’ negotiations about new proposals. The industry has not, as yet, examined the plans but our immediate reaction is one of concern.

“We can’t comment on the likely impact but the industry will not accept anything less than the retention of the Irish Box in its present form.

Meanwhile, in a further twist to the Irish Box controversy, Spanish members of the Parliament yesterday out-voted the Irish representatives in an effort to get full access to lucrative Irish fishing grounds. Connacht MEP Seán Ó Neachtáin last night warned: “If the Spanish get their way, the Irish Box will be fished out within months.”

Mr Ó Neachtain, a member of the Fisheries Committee, proposed a compromise that would mean cuts for all fleets, including the Irish fishing in the Irish Box, to ensure stocks are conserved.

However, the compromise was rejected early yesterday by 12 votes to 10 when the Spaniards got the support of political groups.

“They put on a three-line whip and were even able to ensure the substitutes for the absent committee members were Spanish”, said Mr Ó Neachtain.

The Scottish, British and Danish members supported the Irish case and the report will be debated by the Parliament in July.

“I am disappointed. I thought this was a fair compromise but the Spanish are intransigent, belligerent and aren’t interested in conservation,” he said.

But he remained optimistic that when the matter finally goes to the EU’s fisheries ministers, they will not vote to allow 5,000 Spanish vessels into the Irish Box en masse.

Meanwhile, members of the European Parliament’s fisheries committee begin a three-day visit to Ireland today when they meet Fisheries Minister Dermot Ahern and fishermen’s organisations.