Gildernew to stand up for fishing opportunities

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has promised a tough stance against proposals to cut prawn quotas in the Irish Sea.

The European Commission has just published its initial proposals for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for 2010, which include a proposal to reduce the prawn TAC available to local fishermen by 30%.

Responding to this news Michelle Gildernew said: “Whilst this proposal had been expected, it is still disappointing and I believe totally unjustified. Fisheries scientists here and in the South have strong evidence that the stock in the Irish Sea is stable and we will be presenting this evidence to the Commission to try to have this cut reversed. I will be working closely with the industry on this issue in the run up to the December Fisheries Council.

“Elsewhere the Commission has again proposed cuts for Irish Sea cod, but there is better news for herring and haddock with TACs remaining the same, whilst plaice and anglerfish will get TAC increases.”

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