An environmental group has accused the Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Killeen TD of being unduly influenced by fishermen’s lobbying.
Friends of the Irish Environment argue that rather than ‘paying tribute’ to the fisherman’s lobbying, the Minister should have taken on board unbiased scientific advice.
Recent scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) concludes that the current measures have been inadequate to reduce fishing pressure on cod to the point where the stock can recover.
The Environmental Protection Agency ‘Environment 2008′ shows that some 88% of stocks are overfished and that Ireland’s limited ‘closed areas’ for cod since 2000 have not worked and the collapse is continuing.
Ireland’s Marine Institute makes it clear that ‘the closure of the fisheries for the species at risk provide the highest probability of recovery for these species and is the ONLY advice possible in the context of the precautionary approach.’
Ireland’s refusal to allow the Commission’s recovery plans to be extended to the Celtic Sea is reprehensible and irresponsible.
Verification and comment – Tony Lowes 087 2176316 / 027 73131
