The Minister for the Marine, Mr Ahern, has sought British and French support for Ireland's "serious concern" over the latest round of EU fishery restrictions.
Extension of the days at sea restriction to the Irish Sea fleet and cuts in many whitefish species and mackerel catches are among the proposals for 2004 published by the European Commission in Brussels this week.
The Minister says he has met the British Minister for Conservation and Fisheries, Mr Ben Bradshaw, and the French Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Mr Herve Gaymard, as part of a programme of consultations in preparation for Ireland's EU presidency next January.
Mr Ahern says he "raised his concerns" with Mr Bradshaw about possible introduction of limits on fishing effort, or "days at sea", for the Irish Sea and the proposal to extend it to new areas off the Donegal coast.
He also discussed "common concerns" with both ministers in relation to total allowable catches and quotas for next year, which will be thrashed out at the pre-Christmas fisheries council starting on December 17th.
The Commission has avoided an outright ban on cod fishing which has been sought by its international scientific advisers. Fishing industry representatives have expressed concern that the Commission appears to want to defer serious discussion on recovery plans - an alternative method of conserving stocks which has fishermen's support. Mr Lorcan Ó Cinnéide, of the Irish Fish Producers' Organisation, said the Minister must insist recovery plans are discussed in December.
