EU FISHERIES ministers are due to discuss emergency aid proposals today which aim to assist fleets that have been "hardest hit" by the current fuel price rise.
In a related development, Ireland and other European coastal states have been urged to adopt a "new, holistic joined-up approach" to maritime governance by EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg.
Minister of State for Fisheries Tony Killeen has given a guarded welcome to the European Commission emergency aid proposals, which intend to release €600 million in funds across "blue Europe".
However, Mr Killeen has said those states which have already taken long-term measures to reduce effort should benefit proportionately.
The Government is currently administering a €42 million decommissioning programme for the whitefish fleet.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) yesterday called on the Government to implement the emergency aid package "immediately" once it is agreed at today's ministerial council.
FIF chairman Gerard O'Flynn said it was "vital" that a sum of €42 million allocated to Ireland under the European Fisheries Fund be "significantly increased".
The FIF is seeking short-term tie-up aid as one of a number of remedial measures that include extension of the current decommissioning scheme and marketing to increase the price paid on the quay.
Meanwhile, Mr Borg has given Ireland and other coastal states until next spring to come up with a response to the EU's new integrated maritime policy. He said this "joined-up" approach should apply to maritime affairs, governance and stakeholder consultation, and would address issues such as climate change and security.
