Group calls for greater share of fish quota

A new fishing lobby body has made a direct plea to EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki for a greater share of the EU white fish quota for Ireland.

Foreign boats, it was claimed, take over €1bn worth of fish from Irish waters annually, while the national fleet survives on a “miserable share” of the quotas.

In a letter to Ms Damanaki the new body, Fishing for Justice, said recent meetings on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy had been dominated by professionals, while fishermen did not have a chance to present their views.