Thousands of fishing jobs at risk
Ireland has found itself isolated in many of its demands, including keeping the Spanish and Portuguese out of the Irish Box, which marine experts say the livelihoods of 20,000 Irish people are dependent upon.
As the loose coalition of fishing nations fell apart, the European Commission said it was imperative to cut cod and haddock fishing by 80% if the species were to survive.
After the minister spent yesterday in Brussels meeting his counterparts , the Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler, said: “I have a hell of a battle on my hands.”
Privately, experts said the Irish fish industry was facing meltdown as all the Government demands look like being rejected.
Representatives of Irish fishermen who also met the minister in Brussels yesterday said even maintaining the status quo would not be enough.
“If the Irish Box is the only thing saved we would consider it a failure,” said Sean O’Donoghue of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation.
The commission says that the Spanish have a right to fish in the Irish Box from January but Mr Ahern says his legal advice says they do not.
Under proposals unveiled yesterday, the commission says:
Fishing for cod and haddock must be cut by 80%.
Whiting must be cut by 75%.
Plaice must be cut by 40%.
Sole must be cut by 30%.
Mr Ahern said that in Irish waters cod shows signs of recovery and by keeping the Spanish out and reducing catches Irish fishermen could continue to fish there.
The EU is subsidising the renewal of fishing fleets and paying for scrapping vessels, and the commission proposes ending the subsidies in January. However Mr Ahern said Ireland’s fleet needed investment on the grounds of safety and he wanted to continue the scheme until 2006.
The minister admitted there was little room for manoeuvre when negotiations begin on December 16. Talks are expected to last for about five days.
“It will go right down to the wire. I have issues that I cannot compromise but we have only three votes out of 87,” he said.
