The 48 hour deadline imposed by the Kilmore Quay fishermen passed this afternoon, fuelling fears that they may resume their protests at the country’s east coast ports, including Dublin.
So far there appears to be no official response from Goverment to their requests for concessions on financial aid.
Angry fishermen blocked the exit of the Rosslare Europort in Wexford and Waterford port last weekend with their trawlers - affecting over 1,500 passengers - to highlight the new fishing restrictions imposed by the Government.
However, the fishermen called off any further protests to allow for talks. They are seeking an aid package of between approximately €4 million and €5 million to allow some of the fishermen buy their way out of the business, releasing a larger quota of fishing days for those that remain in the sector.
The fishermen, who were mainly from Kilmore Quay, were joined by local fish factory workers to protest over the bank holiday at the new EU regulations cutting the number of days at sea for boats.
Fishermen said the restrictions would limit them to eight days trawling per month for the rest of the year - and seriously endangering their livelihoods.
Fish processors have warned that up to 500 factory jobs in the Kilmore area may also be lost if the Government does not tackle the problem.
Marine Minister Pat "The Cope" Gallagher said: "There is no catch limitations on the scallop fishermen, there is a limitation on the number of days at sea and unfortunately the fish grounds are in the channels, much further away from Wexford and Waterford than heretofore.
"The length of time they are taken away from the port is taken into consideration not the length of time they are fishing."
The Marine Minster's spokesman added today that the he had not recieved any contact from the fishermen since their blockade at Rosslare.
The Minister of State at the Department said he recognised the financial implications for the fishermen but was bound by the European regime entered into in 2002 to preserve fish stocks.
Eamon Ryan of the South East Fish Distributors said on RTE radio that if the situation was not resolved there were hundreds of jobs at risk.
"Fish processors will have to start laying off staff as their scallop stocks become depleted," he added