Plans to scrap a third of fleet

THE Government plans to decommission a third of the whitefish fleet sector in Ireland, at a cost of about €66 million, according to an application lodged with the European Commission.

This is part of the overall plan to reduce the number of fishermen and boats by 45%, as proposed in the Cawley report, in an effort to reduce illegal fishing and ensure the remaining fishermen make a living.

The Commission is expected to approve the plan next month, which will see state money being paid out to decommission 11,000 gross tonnes worth of Irish fishing vessels.