IRELAND will oppose any cuts in the national fishing fleet, the Minister for Defence and the Marine has said. Responding to proposals announced by the European Fisheries Commissioner, Ms Emma Bonino, this week, a spokeswoman for Mr Barrett said it would not concede one percentage.
Ms Bonino announced that cuts of up to 40 per cent in EU fleet tonnage would have to be imposed over the next six years, due to overfishing. Ireland has 16 per cent of EU waters but less than 3 per cent of total "catching power" in terms of fleet tonnage.
National concerns would dictate Ireland's position on this issue, even though it would be negotiated during Ireland's forthcoming EU Presidency, Mr Barrett's spokeswoman said. "We acknowledge that the stocks are under pressure, and the recent Lassen scientific report to the European Commission has shown that there are serious problems," she said, "but there are many ways of skinning a cat."
While the Fisheries Council would dictate the overall outcome, the European Commission would be negotiating with individual member states, the spokeswoman stressed.
"We will have no difficulties with holding the Presidency and we are not daunted by the task", she said. Ireland's priorities would be agreement on technical conservation measures, catch reporting, and continued emphasis on control and enforcement.
The first round in what is now a political battle on cuts will be fought at the EU Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on June 10th. Ireland would fight the Bonino proposals "line by line", in spite of its obligations under the Presidency, the spokeswoman said.
While Mr Barrett's stance is supported by the industry, the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation has expressed its "astonishment" at Ireland's failure to make review of the Common Fisheries Policy a priority during the EU Presidency.
The Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation expressed similar criticism this week. Ireland is hosting seven "informals" with EU ministers in Dublin and Kerry, but a meeting of marine ministers is not on the agenda. The Minister of State for the Marine, Mr Eamon Gil more, has said the EU Presidency presented an opportunity to influence the CEP review.
