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 | | Monday, 17 December, 2001, 19:00 GMT Quota cuts hit NI fishermen  Swingeing quota cuts have been announced More than 30 boats are to leave Northern Ireland's fishing fleet in the New Year as part of a European funded decommissioning scheme. The news emerged on Monday as European fisheries ministers began discussions in Brussels on proposals for deep cuts in allowable catches in a bid to conserve stocks. The biggest reductions in the fleet will be at Kilkeel and Ardglass in County Down. Dick James of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation said 33 boats would be laid-up under the �5m decommissioning scheme. Conservation process The European Commission warned there was no alternative to cuts if rapidly dwindling stocks of all major fish species were to be revived. It is a warning that has been delivered before, but EU fisheries ministers will be told that this time failure to accept drastic measures will mean the virtual end of fishing for staple species like cod and hake. The commission is seeking cuts of up to 60% in next year's catch quotas - coupled with the decommissioning of vessels and a reduction in the number of fishing days at sea to aid the conservation process.
Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers said: "This year's proposed cuts by the commission are far too severe. "They are not consistent with the science and we are extremely concerned about the impact it will have on our industry. "We are making a very strong case to have them reversed." She said the industry in Northern Ireland had a very responsible attitude towards conservancy. Concerns over cod have led to disagreement about prawn catches - with scientists saying catches could rise, but the EC wants them cut, because it believes prawn boats also snare cod. These and other issues are being discussed by fisheries ministers over the next two days of talks in Brussels. 'Overcapacity' Many boats have been moored across Northern Ireland as fishermen await a government package that could see them hanging up their nets permanently. Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler will tell ministers that the "alarming" state of fish stocks means cuts must be agreed. He has also warned member states against haggling to force up national quotas. The commission is calling for a 52% drop in haddock catches in the Irish Sea, a 20% fall in permitted plaice catches off the west of Scotland and 10% reductions in cod catches in the Irish Sea - all affecting the UK fleet.
It is urging major cuts, too, in the cod fishing effort in the North Sea, facing the worst threat to stock survival. Mr Fischler will be blunt when he unveils the proposed cuts, saying: "We can now see the results of too many years of excessive fishing due to the substantial overcapacity of the EU fleet: too many boats are competing for too few fish. "The situation is still alarming. We now have our backs to the wall. "We have to preserve what fishermen make their living from: fish. "I trust that fisheries ministers will show courage and resolve and refrain from political horse-trading and set the total allowable catches at levels that ensure sustainable fisheries." The UK will be represented by fisheries minister Elliot Morley. | |
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