The fisheries ministers from the North and the Republic are to present a united front in Brussels today, when they will resist stringent fish quota cuts proposed by the European Commission.
The North's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Brid Rodgers, faces a demanding introduction to the EU Common Fisheries Policy, when she joins the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, at the EU Council.
The December meeting is always a marathon session, with through-the-night negotiations and sleep deprivation being one of the means by which member-states reach agreement.
The atmosphere at this year's December meeting is expected to be as heated as at any heretofore.
"Draconian" is how the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Commissioner, Mr Franz Fischler, has been quoted as describing the proposed cuts in whitefish quotas.
The Irish Sea is one of the areas worst affected. Cuts of up to 40 per cent in key species, such as monkfish, cod and haddock, could reduce the value of Irish landings annually by more than £30 million, according to the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation.
Fine Gael's marine spokesman, Mr Michael Finucane, has forecast that the proposed package will be the "final nail in the coffin" for the Irish fishing industry if it is not blocked.
The Commission has opted to follow harsh scientific advice "to the letter", in contrast to previous years when cuts of more than 40 per cent were avoided for socio-economic reasons.
The Northern Irish fleet is heavily dependent on the Irish Sea and accepts that some cuts are inevitable, according to Mr Dick James of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation.
However, the proposals are inconsistent, he says.
"The scientists are probably right about cod and whiting, but we have video evidence of the healthy state of herring," Mr James told The Irish Times, "and, although the scientific view of prawns is very sunny, the Commission wants a 25 per cent cut for no apparent reason."
Earlier this week, Ms Rodgers met Mr James and other Northern Ireland fishing industry representatives. Dr Woods aims to present a joint recovery programme for the Irish Sea as part of his strategy to resist the severity of the measures.
"Most fishermen would accept that the Irish Sea is under pressure, but guillotine measures are not the answer. There has to be a phased-in reduction over a period of years," a spokesman for the Minister said. Only the mackerel fleet has been given a glimmer of hope in advance of today's Council meeting, which is expected to continue into tomorrow. A 12 per cent overall increase on this year's share of mackerel has been welcomed by the Killy begs Fishermen's Organisation after EU talks with Norway.
