Ireland to retain EU mackerel fishery share

The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, yesterday said it was a "good deal for Irish fishermen". The EU and Irish negotiating team had "successfully faced down unrelenting Norwegian attempts to increase its share" of the jointly-owned stock, he said in a statement.

A deal on blue whiting also represented a "major achievement", the Minister said. Under the agreement, Norway's share of blue whiting in western waters has been cut by a further 10,000 tonnes, following a similar decrease last year. Blue whiting is a developing alternative fishery for the Irish mackerel fleet, which is under pressure to diversify.

The EU/Norway talks were held in preparation for this month's EU Fisheries Council, which will set total allowable catches for next year.