Fishermen receive assurances from Spanish

Irish fishermen have received commitments from two Spanish fishing organisations that they will not extend their fishing activities in the "Irish Box" next year.

The Irish Fishermen's Organisation said the Spanish Embassy has also made an identical pledge.

At present, just 40 Spanish trawlers are allowed to fish at any one time in the exclusion zone known as the Irish Box.

However, the Spanish Government had claimed that this restriction would expire on January 1.

The Government disputed the Spanish stance, but the matter still raised fears among Irish fishermen about a sudden influx of Spanish vessels into the rich fishing grounds around Ireland.

The Irish fishermen had vowed to blockade all of Ireland's main ports because of the matter and said they would prevent foreign vessels from landing catches on Irish shores.

However, the IFO has now welcomed the reassurance from the Spanish organisations and the Spanish Embassy and said it will go a long way towards removing the nervousness and suspicion that had been festering the background in recent weeks.