Mixed reaction as Ireland retains its fishing quota

IRELAND retains most of its 2007 fish quota for next year despite the European Commission seeking a 25% reduction in a deal that has been criticised by conservation groups who say it will further deplete fish stocks.

The traditional annual fish-quota-setting meeting of EU ministers ended when the deal was agreed yesterday morning.

It includes cod cuts of from 9% to 18% — far less than the 25% cut demanded — but which ministers justified using reports that cod stocks are showing signs of recovery. They also agreed to reduce by 10% the number of days boats can spend fishing cod in the Atlantic.