EU PROPOSALS which could strip states of their national control of fish quotas represented the “single biggest issue” in the current debate on a new EU common fisheries policy (CFP), Minister of State for Fisheries Tony Killeen has said.
Mr Killeen acknowledged in Galway yesterday that under the proposals large fishing states like Spain and Holland could gain control of Irish quotas – not only catching fish but also landing and processing it in the home ports.
The new EU marine affairs and fisheries commissioner, Maria Damanaki, has signalled a system of individual transferable quotas would be considered.
Mr Killeen said Ireland, with one of the largest marine areas in Europe, had expressed its strong opposition but was in a “minority”.
“The strong argument in support of the system, which countries like Spain favour, is that big powerful companies owning big vessels can deal best with the marketplace,” Mr Killeen said.
“However, the new commissioner comes from Greece – an island economy like ours – and it is very difficult to see a decision like this being taken without unanimous support and without the support of the European Parliament.”
Ireland is proposing an extension of the current 12-mile coastal limit to 20 miles as part of its submission to Brussels on CFP reform.