Fishing quotas should reward Ireland’s responsible attitude – MEP Anderson

IRISH MEP Martina Anderson has called on the European Commission to quickly propose a viable and sustainable fishing quota for the north-east Atlantic which rewards states like Ireland which have stuck to quota targets.

Speaking during the debate, the Sinn Féin MEP for the North said:

“Those states which abused their previous allocations should be sanctioned, not rewarded, and I call on the Commission to act to protect and promote the interests of EU member states such as Ireland who have acted responsibly and who have relied on these fishing resources for decades.”

Fish stocks in the north-east Atlantic have continued to improve for the past decade. New data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) shows decreased pressure on fish species right across the board.

“Over-fishing by one country can have devastating effects on others, and it is the responsibility of the Commission to prevent this illegal fishing,” Martina added.

“I sincerely hope to see a fast and fair solution to prevent any further disruption in this fragile area, in particular to the livelihoods of those who rely on it.”