The Government has greeted news of proposed dramatic cuts in Irish fish quotas by calling for a broader approach to sustainability to include other EU member states.
Mr Tony Bass, spokesman at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, told
ireland.com
he was "seriously concerned" at news that the European Commission wants to reduce Ireland’s white fish catches by 60 per cent.
The cuts, due to come into effect from January 1st, are set to cut haddock quotas by 52 per cent and cod catches by 10 per cent.
Mr Bass said that although the industry was aware of the need for sustainable fish stocks, it would be unable to survive the severe measures. "This is a real challenge for our industry," he said.
Mr Bass said the Government had "always led the way in sustainability", had been involved in the EU cod and hake recovery programme and had taken sustainability measures such as closing spawning grounds.
But he warned there was "no point in having stocks in a few years and no industry", and urged the EU Commission to take a broader approach to sustainability to further include other member states.
The European Commission will present the proposals to the Irish Fisheries Council on December 17th and 18th. It is understood the Minister for the Marine, Mr Frank Fahey, will vote against the cuts.