Fishing bodies worried about new 'box' talks

Irish fishing industry organisations have expressed "deep concern" over final talks on the new "Irish box" in Luxembourg today…

Irish fishing industry organisations have expressed "deep concern" over final talks on the new "Irish box" in Luxembourg today.

Today's talks are due to agree fishing proposals within the new, smaller "box" or special fishing conservation zone off the south and west Irish coast, and the waters around it.

The three main fishing groups - the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation and the Irish Fish Producers' Organisation - say the proposals within the "box" itself are "reasonable".

But they have warned there is considerable risk of increased pressure by British and French shellfish vessels and French and Spanish whitefish vessels in the surrounding waters.

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The proposals are based on past records, and the organisations say Spain, France and Britain appear to be "taking great liberties" with their figures.

The European Commission must reject countries that are taking this approach, the organisations say.