EU efforts to reduce the Union's fishing fleet may be stalled by a British government ultimatum on the "flagships" issue.
Britain has confirmed it will not discuss proposals to reduce the EU fleet by up to 40 per cent until this issue is resolved. A measure which would allow the Union to regulate "flagships" was tabled at the EU Intergovernmental Conference this week.
Ireland has most to gain from the British action, given that much of the flagship activity is in Irish waters. The Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, who has opposed any fleet cuts in Ireland expressed support for regulatory measures on flagships earlier this week.
Also known as "quota hoppers", some 140 Spanish vessels have registered in Britain and Ireland to gain access to the respective fishing quotas of these member states. It has been argued that their unregulated activity poses a greater threat to stocks than the 40 extra Spanish vessels given access to the Irish Box last January.
The British motion, tabled by its fisheries minister, Mr Tony Baldry, proposes adding a protocol to the Treaty of Rome which would permit member states to take "appropriate action" to regulate quota hopping.
Only vessels with a "real economic link" to populations dependent on fisheries should be licensed. This link would entail ownership by permanent residents, or by companies with their main base in the country, or by a combination of both.
Vessels would also be required to put to sea and land from a port within the state's territory.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by his Department to discuss the Commission's maritime strategy yesterday, Mr Barrett said safety, training and increased competitiveness in shipping were top of the agenda for the Irish EU Presidency. He added that everyone was working towards the same goal - EU crewed vessels.
