Scallop fishermen have suspended the blockade of Rosslare Europort in Wexford until 5pm on Thursday pending the outcome of meetings with local politicians today.
The action, which caused disruption for 1,500 ferry passengers, was taken by the fishermen over restrictions on the number of days they are allowed to fish.
A blockade by the mainly Kilmore Quay-based fishermen resulted in the cancellations of six sailings between Rosslare and two Welsh ports - Fishguard and Pembroke. They also staged a blockade at Waterford port, which only handles freight.
The fishermen claim new restrictions on days at sea imposed after last December's EU fisheries council in Brussels mean they can only have 55 days fishing this year, making the fleet unviable.
The blockade was lifted following the intervention of local politicians. But the fisherman have threatened to resume the blockade if talks today between the chief executive of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation, Michael Walsh, and Fianna Fáil TD John Browne are unsuccessful.
Mr Walsh said: "There is a gun to my head on this issue. If the fishermen involved do not get a positive outcome on this then it will be inevitable that more protests will be on the cards."
"These men will not lie down on this as the banks are putting pressure on them. They are law-abiding citizens who feel they have been sold down the swanny," he added.
Labour Party TD for Wexford Brendan Howlin has said that the decision of the Wexford scallop fishermen to suspend further direct action for 48 hours gives the Government and the Marine Minister two days to save a community.
The matter is now due to be raised by Mr Browne when the Cabinet meets tomorrow.
According to Fine Gael Spokesperson on the Marine John Perry TD, the calculation by the EU Commission of the size of the scallop fleet was based on 1998-2002 figures supplied by the Department of the Marine.
"However, this does not take into account the growth of the fleet since then — growth that the Department itself encouraged," he said.
He called on Minister of State for the Marine Pat the Cope Gallagher to make a statement on the matter "outlining exactly what he intends to do to sort this sorry mess out".
Mr Perry suggested an increase in scallop effort would make the vessels more viable or "provide the necessary financial assistance to allow fishermen to decommission their vessels".