EC rejects calls to delay massive fishing cuts

The European Commission has rejected calls to delay plans for massive cuts in fishing in the Irish Sea from the start of the next year.

The announcement came as Irish fishermen were ordered to stop catching certain species from tomorrow because they have reached their quota.

However foreign boats can continue to catch in Irish waters because they have larger quotas.

The latest blow to the industry comes as fishermen prepare to meet in Dublin to discuss the best way to protect the sector.

Fine Gael's Simon Coveney says it is now up to the Taoiseach to get a better deal for our fishermen at Friday's Copenhagen summit.

"It is about time that the Taoiseach took a direct interest in this, to add weight to the negotiations, negotiations that Minister Dermot Ahern is going to be part of between now and Christmas time," he said.

"We need to demand a better share out of quota for the Irish fishing fleet. It is the main crux of the problem and it always has been for the Irish fishing fleet."