Blockade threat lifted as scallop fishermen included in €45m scheme

THE threat of further port blockades by scallop fishermen evaporated yesterday as the Government announced a €45m scheme to remove a quarter of the Irish whitefish fleet.

The decommissioning scheme, which has been expanded to include scallop fisherman for the first time, will run for three years and see 25% of Ireland's whitefish tonnage bought out by the Government, as recommended in a review of the industry by former IDA chief Padraig White.

Speaking at yesterday's announcement, Mr White said urgent action was required to ensure the future of the Irish fleet. "There is no point in play-acting. Do it right, do it properly," he said.