Review of EU fishing policy begins with meeting in Cork

A European inspectorate for marine resources is one of several proposals on the table at European Commission meetings in Ireland over the next week as part of its review of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Ireland has been chosen as an initial location for the consultative meetings, which will be held across EU member-states between now and next June. The EU Fisheries Commissioner, Ms Emma Bonino, had promised to canvass views as a prelude to a review of the policy by 2002.

EU officials hosting the first such meeting, tomorrow in Cork, are expected to hear strong criticism of their management system. Ireland has the second-largest and most lucrative, but most poorly policed, sea area in the EU. This is due to a combination of loopholes in the existing policy, weaknesses in shore inspections, crew shortages in the Naval Service, and Government failure to draw down funding for extra ships and equipment. Recently the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, announced 70 extra recruits for the Naval Service to alleviate staff shortages.

Tomorrow's meeting in Cork will involve direct discussion between the commission and the fisheries sector, and will be followed by meetings in Dublin on Thursday and in Donegal next Monday. The agenda will include a presentation by commission officials on the results of questionnaires sent out to interested organisations and associates earlier this year.

Only parts of the CFP are subject to change by 2002, including rules for access to the six- to 12-mile coastal limit by fishing vessels from other countries, the Shetland box protected zone, and access to fishing grounds in the North Sea by vessels of those countries which have joined the EU since 1985 (Spain, Portugal, Finland and Sweden).

Several European coastal states are already on a collision course at the start of the review negotiations. Spain wants an end to the country quota regime, which has regulated European fishing for the past 15 years, while Britain and Sweden are among a group wishing to modify much of the present arrangements.

Radical proposals already outlined by Spain to the EU's 2002 Working Group include a Europewide fisheries inspectorate, a single European fishing fleet, and scientific assessments of restricted areas such as the Irish and Shetland boxes with a view to gaining greater access. Spain also wants to be granted entry to the North Sea, which would cause uproar in northern European countries if granted.

The Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation, which will have a large delegation at tomorrow's meeting, anticipates a full and frank exchange of views. Mr Donal O'Driscoll, the IS&WFO chairman, said he looked forward in particular to the contribution by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods.

In its pre-election policy document, Fianna Fail had labelled the policy as "discriminatory in nature", and had said that "overfishing by EU states in Irish waters is a scandal of immense proportions", Mr O'Driscoll said.