Cod fishermen may receive hardship funds

THE Government may be asked to make hardship funds available for cod fishermen.

EU Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler yesterday announced the EU is to replace year-on-year negotiations on catch quotas with cod-fishing limits in an attempt to conserve the species.

EU countries will be given an amount of "kilowatt days" established by multiplying the boat's engine power by the days spent fishing to distribute among the fleet.

Frank Doyle of the Irish Fisherman's Organisation said that the Government may be forced to make money available to hardship cases.

"We'd have to determine the size and scope of the impact of these measures, and what impact they would have," he said.

"We would also have to see what is required. We could talk about dealing with it practically and putting something to the Government. But we don't know the size or scope of the problems," he said.

In the immediate wake of these proposals the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (ISWFO) reiterated their opposition to the dismantling of the so-called Irish box in a determined bid to protect dwindling fish stocks.

The controversial proposals will be subject to intensive discussions with all member state governments and the ultimate decision with regard to future cod recovery plans will rest with the EU Fisheries Council which represents the interests of the EU Governments.

Yesterday, Jason Whooley of the ISWFO travelled to Brussels to impress upon the European Commission "that the Irish box requires even more protection than it is getting at present".

At present, 40 Spanish vessels could enter the box at any one time, he said.

A shake-up of the common fisheries policy is seen as a last-ditch stand to avoid what the experts say is a serious threat of cod extinction in crucial fishing grounds, particularly in the North Sea, Irish Sea and off the west Coast of Scotland.

Year-on-year negotiations on catch quotas are being replaced by long-term cod-fishing limits in a bid to restore stability and give conservation measures time to work, free from annual haggling.

The commission blames inadequate management of fish stocks, lack of government monitoring of fish catches and too much intensive fishing for too few fish for the current plight.

The next stage is to win approval from EU fisheries ministers, who will consider the plan at talks in Brussels later this month.

"It's crucial that we get total commitment from every possible political source," Mr Whooley said.