The Minister said he intended fast-tracking the further development of environmentally friendly fishing as part and parcel of the Common Fisheries Policy.

He said the reality of the challenge of rebuilding stocks and maintaining sustainable fishing was about developing new and better means of fishing.

“What we need to do is fish better and smarter so that we harvest the stocks in the most environmentally beneficial way and thereby recover the stocks and sustain our fishing communities in the future.”

Minister Ahern said:“We need to create a vision of hope for our fishermen and coastal communities so that we can fast track the implementation of environmentally friendly fishing methods, where fishing can be maintained, stocks can recover and where there is a viable future for fishing communities.”

Ireland’s Presidency would focus also on the adoption of the Regional Advisory Councils and the implementation of the Western Waters regulation.

The regional councils would provide fishermen with “ownership” of the decision-making process that determine their livelihoods. “The councils will provide a forum where all the stakeholders – including fishermen and scientists – can come together in a spirit of co-operation which will lead to greater understanding and trust.”

Minister Ahern added that he intended meeting the May 31 deadline for implementing regulations under the under the Western Waters fixing fishing effort.

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