Faroes anger NI fishermen by trying to stick extra mackerel in their own nets

The Faroe Islands, alongside Iceland, unilaterally increased their mackerel quotas, much to the chagrin of the EU Commission and fishing ministers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

They argue stocks have been moving further north and the Faroe Islands have increased their quota from 25,000 to 85,000 tonnes.

Northern Ireland Fisheries Minister Michelle Gildernew stated: "I fully support the stance taken by the Commission and the South in opposing the unilateral North East Atlantic mackerel quotas set by the Faroes and Iceland.

"We also have a significant interest in this fishery and I hope that a sensible and sustainable solution to this matter can be agreed as soon as possible."

Ms Gildernew made the comments after meeting with southern Fisheries Minister Sean Connick TD to discuss their approach to the important fisheries negotiations at the forthcoming Council of Ministers meetings.

These meetings during November and December will set the fishing opportunities for 2010 and adopt new technical conservation regulations.

Discussions were also held on cod recovery.

She said: "We share a common interest with the south particularly in measures affecting fish stocks in the Irish Sea.

"It is important that we agree a common approach as far as possible to what will be very challenging negotiations this year. We explored at length the Commissions proposals on Nephrops and in particular the merits or otherwise of moving to an alternative functional unit management system for the Irish and Celtic Sea nephrops fisheries.

"We have agreed that any major changes need to be very carefully considered and that any proposals for immediate large reductions in Total Allowable Catch should be strongly resisted."

She added: "We also discussed Irish Sea herring and the strong scientific evidence of a growing stock.

"I will be pressing for an increased TAC in 2011 and will be following this up with a proposal for a long Term Management Plan to ensure the continued sustainable development of this fishery."