The European Commission has proposed significant cuts in prawn quotas for 2010, and the Minister reassured local fish processors that she would do all she could to reverse this proposal at the Council later this month.
Speaking after the meeting the Minister said: "Fish processors as well as the catching sector are very concerned at the proposal to cut our prawn quotas. I explained that fisheries scientists, North and South, disagreed with the scientific basis of the proposal and that we have strong evidence to oppose these cuts.
“Our view is supported by recent surveys of the stock that show increased abundance in 2009. The prawn fishery in the Irish Sea is being sustainably fished. I will do all that I can to maintain this fishing opportunity, which not only supports most of our offshore fishing fleet but also the bulk of the fish processing sector as well.”
The Minister also highlighted to the delegation her December Council position toward Irish Sea prawns. She said: "I have been working closely with the administrations in the south of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales and we all agree that securing a good result for prawn quotas in the Irish Sea is a top priority.”
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