Cod-fishing ban in Irish Sea recommended

Irish fishing industry representatives have disputed a call by scientists for a blanket ban on cod fishing in northern Europe's waters including the Irish Sea.

Giving the same advice as one year ago, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) today said cod fishing must halt in the Irish Sea, North Sea and western Scotland so that cod does not become extinct.

However, Mr Sean O'Donoghue, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, told ireland.comhe disputed the need for a blanket ban in the Irish Sea due to the alternative cod stock-protection schemes in operation for the last three years.

Mr O'Donoghue admitted he was "not surprised about the recommendation for the North Sea" but said the situation in the Irish Sea was different.

Irish fishing groups were pursuing a number of measures, including the "days at sea" restrictions - limiting the number of days west and north-west whitefish vessels can fish - and a voluntary ban on cod fishing within six-miles of shore between October and February from Greencastle-based vessels, he said.

We are convinced there is a recovery in cod stocks and we don't accept the Commission's stance that a ban is required Mr Sean O'Donoghue, chief executive, Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation

"We are convinced there is a recovery in cod stocks and we don't accept the Commission's stance that a ban is required", he said.

The ICES recommendations will lead to proposals on quotas by the end of November ahead of a EU fisheries ministers meeting starting on December 16th.

According to ICES general secretary Mr David Griffith, "cod stocks are at such low levels that we have had to resort to recommending zero catches as a final line in the sand to give them some respite,"

Ireland, Denmark and Britain are the three EU countries most affected by the proposed ban. The latest ICES advice also recommends fishing bans for whiting in the Irish Sea, hake in southern waters and capelin in the Barents Sea.

Last year, the EU's executive Commission avoided pressing for an all-out ban on cod fishing, citing the economic and social consequences for coastal communities.