EU moves to further cut Irish fishing quotas must be strenuously opposed, Sinn Féin said today.
Fisheries spokesman Martin Ferris said Minister of State John Browne must lead the fightback of the Irish industry when fisheries ministers meet in Brussels today and tomorrow.
The European Commission recommends a 25 per cent cut in quotas for cod along with cuts in and the total allowable catch (TAC) for haddock, whiting, plaice, herring, sole and hake.
Experts and other ecology groups say the cuts are too low and want a complete ban on cod fishing in the Irish Sea and North Atlantic.
Fisheries ministers are concerned about the social and economic effect of such stringent action. Commissioner Joe Borg has said stock-replenishment programmes were working and that compromise would need to be reached between the industry and conservationists.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea says spawning stock for cod is 66 per cent less than it should be, however, and says the EU schemes for compensating fishermen who leave the industry is an inadequate response.
Mr Ferris said Ireland's waters had been exploited by foreign fishermen because of insufficient State safeguards and incentives to develop the industry.
This had an adverse on "fishing communities and the country in general", he added.
Mr Ferris said: "In order to ensure that 2007 does not witness a further decline it is absolutely vital that Minister Browne refuses to support any further proposed cuts in the quota given to Irish vessels."