The EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Franz Fischler, says he is opposed to unrestricted fishing in the 50-mile Irish Box, but has made it clear that legal opinion supports equal access by European fleets.
"Discriminatory restrictions" on such areas must be removed in line with EU treaties, while preventing an increase in fishing effort and preserving fish stocks in the Irish Box, the Commissioner said in Dublin yesterday.
However, the Commissioner offered some comfort for fishermen in the Irish Sea, when he said that he did not support a total ban on cod fishing in this and other areas. The moratorium, first recommended by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea last month, was endorsed by his own scientific and economic advisory committee in Brussels yesterday.
Fishing industry leaders, who met the Commissioner in Dublin yesterday, have warned that the Government has a "very tough" six weeks ahead if it is to retain the Irish Box. Currently, some 40 Spanish vessels are allowed into the zone, but fishermen have said that equal access by Spain, with the Union's largest fleet, could wipe out stocks in the area.
Fisherman in the south-west port of Castletownbere, Co Cork, last night said they would probably call off their blockade today, but warned of further lightning protests between now and December.
Mr Ebbie Sheehan, fishing vessel owner, told The Irish Times that they welcomed Dr Fischler's statement that he was against open access to the Irish Box but they were also concerned about the possibility of "equal access" by all member-states from next year.
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, who also met the Commissioner yesterday morning, said he felt that Dr Fishcler had taken Ireland's views on board but acknowledged that there were "difficulties ahead".
Speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon, the Commissioner vehemently denied that Spain was behind moves to mount a challenge to restricted zones in western waters. The legal opinion had been sought by all EU Council members, Dr Fischler said. Asked if he intended to take action on the loophole in the Common Fisheries Policy which allowed flag of convenience vessels to exploit quotas, Dr Fischler had no comment to make.
Although his scientists were pushing for a ban on cod next year, the Commissioner said that he was "exploring other options".
These other options would constitute a suite of measures, including cuts in total allowable catches and quotas, closed areas, effort limitation and increased control, he said.
The Commissioner expressed enthusiasm for the recovery plan concept - as proposed by Ireland - but said there was no point in relying totally on technical conservation measures which protected juvenile fish, but did not also protect the adult breeding stock. The "toolbox" of measures which he was exploring would represent the first stage in a new Common Fisheries Policy, he said.
The plans would involve some hardships, the Commissioner warned. Consultations would take place on November 18th.
The European Commission was "fully conscious" of the potential socio-economic impact of the current situation on member-states, including Ireland. It had produced an action plan to encourage member-states to use a range of social measures for those most affected by fish stock depletion.
The Government's Common Fisheries Policy strategy review group, chaired by Mr Padraic White, which also met Dr Fischler yesterday, also described the meeting as "productive" and welcomed his opposition to "deregulation" of the Irish Box.
The Connacht-Ulster MEP, Mr Seán Ó Neachtáin, accused Spain yesterday of acting in "an extremely aggressive manner" on access to Irish waters. Key votes on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy are due to take place at a European Parliament fisheries committee meeting in Brussels today.
