Irish Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley TD is pressing the EU to act on mackerel fishing by third countries at today’s AgriFish Council meeting in Brussels.
According to The Fishing Daily, he says fishing levels in the North East Atlantic are unsustainable and require urgent EU intervention.
Ahead of the meeting, Dooley said he is seeking a strong and united EU message to coastal states. Negotiators from those states are meeting in London today. He argues that current catches risk long-term damage to the stock.
Push for emergency support
Dooley is also calling on the European Commission to move beyond statements of concern. He wants emergency market measures to support fishers affected by the situation.
Industry pressure is rising, though doubts remain about how quickly such support could be approved under EU rules.
Wider agenda at the Council
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD is also attending. His focus is broader, covering agriculture and fisheries.
No new fisheries commitments were set out, highlighting the challenge of keeping fisheries high on the agenda.