Europe's fisheries ministers will deliver their first verdict today on plans for the most savage cuts ever in the trawler fleet to counter the potential collapse of cod and other species.
On the table at talks in Brussels are proposals for reductions of up to 80 per cent in fishing next year - obliging fishermen to lay up over three-quarters of their boats or scrap them.
Fisheries Commissioner Mr Franz Fischler will tell ministers the alternative is to follow the latest scientific advice to the letter and ban fishing for cod, haddock and whiting in the North Sea, Irish Sea and off the West Coast of Scotland.
The commission wants agreement on 80 per cent cuts in cod, haddock and whiting fishing, and cuts of 40 per cent for plaice and sole. The commission insists this action is the least that needs to be done to revive dangerously depleted stocks.
The cuts, the toughest in the history of the Common Fisheries Policy, would be coupled with cash incentives to scrap boats and money for retraining schemes and retirement programmes for fishermen.
No final decisions will be made today - they will come at another round of talks in December.
PA