The Minister for the Marine, Pate "the Cope" Gallagher has sought approval from the European Commission for the Government's proposed €45 million decommissioning scheme for the whitefish fleet.
Minister Gallagher said he hoped the decommissioning scheme, subject to commission approval, would begin "within a fortnight."
The scheme will enable up to 25% of the total capacity of the whitefish fleet to voluntarily leave the industry. The aim of the scheme is to achieve a better balance between the size of fleets and available fishing opportunities.
It is hoped it will enhance the viability of the remaining fleet and enable the remaining vessels to have larger quotas which will enhance their profitability and long term sustainability. The Minister expressed his view to the Council of Ministers, that the fishing industry could have a bright future but it needs to adapt to changing circumstances.
"Ireland has already taken steps to ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry through our recently announced de-commissioning programme and against this backdrop I am calling on the European Community today to take a landmark decision to commit resources than ever before to Marine Research," he said. Minister Gallagher welcomed Commissioner Borg's announcement at the end of the lengthy Council debate his intention to now bring forward a major re-structuring plan for the European fishing industry by the end of the year. Member states were invited to contribute ideas over the coming weeks to the development of this plan.