The Northern Ireland fishing industry could be wiped out if thelatest European proposals for further restrictions on catches areimplemented, the North's Agriculture Minister warned today.
Ms Bríd Rodgers voiced her opposition to the European Commission'sstrategic plan for the industry tabled during the fisheries councilin Luxembourg.
She said proposals to restrict fishing industry activity and reducequotas would have a "devastating socio-economic impact" on NorthernIreland.
Ms Rodgers said the proposals included a five-year-and-more recoveryplan for hake and cod with cuts of nearly 50 per cent in quotas andup to 40 per cent in fishing activity.
While she and her ministerial colleagues broadly accepted the needfor a Common Fisheries Policy that was both environmentally andeconomically sustainable she said she would be stressing duringtalks the regional importance of the fishing sector inNorthern Ireland.
"I will also be highlighting how our industry has been hitdisproportionately by two Cod Recovery Plans, the continuingdisadvantage to Northern Ireland of the Hague Preference applicationand the unwarranted 10 per cent cut last year in the total allowablecash quota for nethrops [type of prawn]".
She added: "The Northern Ireland industry has already demonstratedits willingness to co-operate with Common Fisheries Policy but Ibelieve that the carte blanche implementation of further swingeingcuts could threaten its very survival".
She said she would be instigating immediate discussions with thelocal industry to assess the best way forward for the North'sfishing industry.
PA