Fish package ‘a necessary evil’

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

Chief executive of the Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation Gerard O’Flynn said the proposed measure was “a necessary evil”.

The EU-backed compensation scheme will top €66 million with about €58m earmarked specifically for trawlers over 18 metres.