Diane Dodds MEP has expressed her disappointment at the news from Brussels that Europe has imposed a 9% cut on the Irish Sea prawn quota. Speaking after the outcome of negotiations in Brussels, Diane Dodds said:
"While a 9% reduction is better than the 30% reduction originally proposed by the European Commission, it is nevertheless a bad result for the entire local fishing industry in Northern Ireland, which has been forced by Europe to become so reliant on prawns.
First and foremost this news is another bitter blow for our fishermen, after what has been another tough year, but it is also frustrating for those of us who have lobbied on behalf of the industry. Over the past few weeks and months I have raised this issue in the European Parliament, I have met with Europe's Fisheries Commissioner and separately with his officials. My DUP colleagues in Westminster and at Stormont, including our First Minister Peter Robinson, have also been working on behalf of our fishermen. I would also acknowledge the efforts of DARD. Yet our frustrations are nothing compared to the years of pain suffered by our fishermen.
While all of these combined efforts have hopefully contributed to a lesser cut, the fact is the fisheries science on which these decisions are supposed to be based was positive for Irish Sea prawns, proving that Northern Ireland's fishermen are fishing sustainably in the Irish Sea. Combined with 25% cuts in days at sea and the Irish Sea cod quota this will force morale within the industry to a new low and while there is a little good news with the increase in the plaice quota, this does not offset the losses.
Our fishermen want to catch fish and the European system is stopping them from doing this. I shall be seeking an urgent meeting with Michelle Gildernew to explore what options are available for helping our fishermen and fish processors."
