Whiting quota to be opposed

A controversial EU proposal to cut back on alternative opportunities for the £100 million Irish mackerel fleet is due to be discussed by fisheries ministers today in Luxembourg.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, have voiced opposition to the proposed blue whiting quota for Ireland. The quota would amount to less than 40 per cent of the average Irish catch in the developing fishery over the past three years.

The Connacht-Ulster MEP, Mr Pat the Cope Gallagher, has accused the EU Commission of "improper behaviour" over the proposal, while the independent Connacht-Ulster candidate, Ms Marian Harkin, has accused the Government of "taking its eye off the ball" when the proposal was being put forward.

Ireland has been offered 14,000 tonnes out of a total EU share of 133,000 tonnes, with the lion's share of the stock off Irish waters being allocated to the Netherlands.

Blue whiting is currently an industrial catch, used for fishmeal. But it is expected to be used for human consumption in the near future.

Protests have already been voiced by the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO). A national group, the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (IS&WFO), has urged the Minister to take "whatever steps are necessary" to ensure that Irish fishermen are not discriminated against once again.

While the decision on the blue whiting quota will not affect its own members, the IS&WFO said that it was seriously concerned at the manner in which the proposal was drafted. The criteria used by the EU for the allocation appeared to favour some member-states at the expense of others, it said yesterday.