Fishing crisis: Confrontation looms as jobs on the line in industry’s battle for survival

With the Irish fishing industry already hit by a 25% quota cut and decommissioning of vessels, processors of the catch are calling for independent review of a system they claim leads to inaccurate recording of species landed

Fish processors say losing this battle would be another nail in the coffin for the industry. Picture: Neil Michael

Some of the biggest fish processing companies in Ireland are set for a confrontation with the State fisheries watchdog in what they say is a fight for survival.

At stake are more than 500 jobs and the viability of the pelagic fishing fleet, which targets species such as herring and mackerel.