Fisherman are to sail their boats into ports next week in protest against their "criminalisation" in the new fisheries bill.
The owners are furious about proposals to prosecute them in the courts for fishing offences, which could lead to heavy legal costs, fines of up to €200,000 and the confiscation of their fishing equipment.
The Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (ISWFO) said the use of the courts system was criminalising its members.
"We're standing side by side in circuit courts with common criminals, guys who we think are guilty of very serious offences - drug running, murder, rape. It's an absolutely scandalous environment to be putting fishermen and their families through," said manager Jason Whooley.
Fishermen have been campaigning for administrative penalties, such as fishing bans or a penalty points-style system, to be used instead of the courts. But the enforcement system proposed under the Sea Fisheries Maritime Jurisdiction Bill, which is going through the Dáil, is still based on court prosecutions.
Mr Whooley said: "85 per cent of all fisheries offences in Europe are dealt with by administrative sanction. Ourselves and the UK are the only ones left, and the UK are at the moment looking to change this system at Government level. We're just saying it's time for a fresh look at this."
Around 300 boats in the fishing fleet are expected to cease fishing next Friday and sail to ports in Cork, Galway, Dublin, and possibly Rosslare, as part of a national protest.
It is being organised by the ISWFO, the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish Fish Producers' Organisation and the Irish South and East Fishermen's Organisation.
The Sea Fisheries Maritime Jurisdiction Bill is intended to update legislation and will create the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to stop illegal fishing and the depletion of fish stocks.
Minister of State for the Marine Pat the Cope Gallagher has modified the bill by removing the navy's proposed power to fire into fishing boats and linking fines to the size of the boat.
PA