The European Commission is to decide today on wiping out tonnage entitlements of Irish fishermen, which may involve losses of up to €150 million for the industry.
The proposals, if agreed, would break the link between vessels and the allocation of tonnage to particular vessels.
The Minister for the Marine, Mr Dermot Ahern, said he had instructed Irish officials to oppose the EU Fisheries Commission move at talks today.
Fine Gael's communications, marine and natural resources spokesman Mr Simon Coveney said the issue is of crucial importance to the Irish fishing industry.
"European Union fishing officials are today attempting to make obsolete up to 15 per cent of tonnage available to the Irish fleet because it was not in use before January 2003. This would have a devastating impact on the industry here and would reduce sharply the size of the Irish fishing fleet."
Labour Party marine spokesman, Mr Tommy Broughan, also voiced his opposition to the EU proposals
"If fishermen are told that they must remain within limits set earlier in the year, and that no new boats will be allocated any tonnage, the entire industry will effectively be anchored," he said.
"Livelihoods are at stake as thousands of families in ports around the country do not know whether or not they will be able to continue to fish in waters they have trawled for years," he added.
