EU to back drastic cuts in white-fish quotas

The European Union's scientific committee is today expected to back a report which calls for cod fishing grounds in the Irish Sea and the North Sea to be closed in an effort to conserve stocks.

The report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas recommended drastic cuts in white-fish quotas to prevent the collapse of cod, whiting and haddock stocks.

The Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation has expressed opposition to the move, saying policing of Irish waters is a better way of preserving stocks than total closure.

The EU's support for the closure of cod fishing grounds comes on top of demands from Spain for the abolition of the 50-mile fishing exclusion zone around Ireland.

The KFO has also expressed opposition to that move, saying it contravenes EU conservation proposals, but Spain claims the so-called "Irish box" is against free trade rules. At present, only a restricted number of foreign trawlers are allowed to operate in this zone.

The EU's Agriculture and Fisheries Commission, Franz Fischler, is in Dublin today to discuss the planned reforms.