Irish fleet unaffected by EU cod fishing restrictions

A large section of the North Sea is being closed to cod fishing in an attempt by the EU and Norway to halt a dramatic slide in stocks.

However, the Irish fishing fleet does not have a quota for cod fishing in the areas affected. The closest sector where Irish boats work is Area 6, situated off the Northwest coast of Scotland.

A spokesman for the Department of the Marine told ireland.comthat this measure would not directly affect Irish fishermen except where fish stocks migrated between adjoining sectors.

"Ireland has been at the forefront in terms of conservation of fish stocks," the spokesman said. "Discussions are ongoing with the Commission on what measures could be introduced, if any, for Area 6, and to ensure that Irish interests are well-represented."

Waters to the west of the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Scotland's Shetland Islands will be off-limits to cod fishing for six months from mid-February, a European Commission statement said.

"All fisheries likely to catch cod will temporarily be forbidden in this area to allow the maximum survival of fish from the reproductive activity of this year's spawning stock," it said.

The emergency measures announced today follow three days of negotiations between the European Union and Norway. Another meeting is set for February 2nd.

Last month EU member states asked the European Commission to put into place both emergency and longer-term measures.

EU officials say only 70,000 tonnes of adult cod remain in the North Sea, compared with 250,000 tonnes in the 1970s.

AFP