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.

Irish fishermen got 75% of the quota last year and want it increased this year by 250%, the amount scientific advice is suggesting and Ocean2012 is supporting.

However, the commission says it does not believe there is enough data and it wants to cut the quota as a precaution.

In some instances, NGOs, the industry and the commission agree about problems, but dispute the solutions. For instance, they all say the cod recovery measures for the Irish Sea and the north-west have not worked.

The negotiations are not expected to conclude until Saturday, excluding mackerel, which it is hoped will be resolved in January.