Ireland has gained significant support for EU trade sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe islands over “irresponsible and unacceptable” mackerel fishing, according to Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney.
EU maritime affairs commissioner Maria Damanaki has agreed to expedite legislative proposals for trade sanctions against the two island groups by September which should ensure they are in place for the 2012 mackerel fishing season, Mr Coveney says.
He was commenting after an EU fisheries council meeting yesterday.
