Talks on EU fishing quotas get under way

THE fishing industry says it is fighting for its life at the annual division of fish stocks in Brussels, as environment groups warn that some of the fishermen’s demands are putting the future of whole species in doubt.

The industry is critical of what it sees as arbitrary cuts proposed by the European Commission of 15%, 25% and even 100% in quotas of key fish species.

Fishing NGO Ocean2012 is fighting to preserve quota in relatively new species for Irish fishermen, species which they have turned to as their traditional stocks are depleted. These include boarfish, a bony kind of fish used mainly for fishmeal.