European navies may patrol Irish waters as part of joint fishery inspections proposed by the European Commission. The proposal, which is still at an early stage, would focus on key stocks which are under threat, such as hake, according to Mr John Farnell of the European Commission's directorate-general for fisheries.
Mr Farnell, who was in Dublin yesterday to hear Ireland's views on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, said the joint inspection structure would be more permanent than a "rapid reaction force" at sea, as it would work to an annual programme, if accepted.
"It is still a gleam in the Commission's eye," he stressed, and national enforcement agencies would retain their mandate. A feasibility study would be commissioned if the principle was accepted by member-states, he said.
Mr Jason Whooley, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation, said there was a "frank and often blunt exchange of views" in relation to the Commission's proposals, which have been criticised for their potentially negative socio-economic impact.
"Our case is not just emotive, but is backed up by scientific facts and strong logic," Mr Whooley said. "We hope that these views will be transmitted to the Agriculture and Fisheries Commissioner, Mr Fischler, and taken on board." The commissioner is due to visit Ireland in September.
The Commission's "roadmap", involving substantial fleet cuts, has already been dismissed as "too blunt" by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern. The Government's strategy review group, chaired by former IDA chief, Mr Padraic White, is pushing for more emphasis on technical conservation measures.
Mr Farnell made it clear yesterday that a 24-mile inshore limit was not feasible as it did not have widespread support among other EU member-states. He told The Irish Times that the Commission favoured application of technical conservation measures in conjunction with fleet cuts, and it was not an "either-or" situation.
The Commission's proposal to introduce a system of "days at sea" to limit effort could force fishermen to take risks in bad weather to make ends meet. Mr Farnell believed that a system could be designed which would give the industry the flexibility it needed in terms of weather changes.