Fishermen facing further restrictions under new EU plan

Irish fishermen could be facing more drastic cuts in fish catches under new proposals from the European Commission.

The body is seeking reductions of up to 25% in cod catches and significant cuts in plaice, sole and hake quotas under a plan due to be presented to the EU members states later this month.

Scientists say stringest catch reductions are needed to protect fish stocks and prevent some species like cod from becoming extinct.

Some experts say the situation is so dire that cod fishing should be banned entirely in the North Sea.