Concern is growing over an EU fishing deal with Iceland (Image: Getty)
A non-EU country may soon be allowed to fish in waters just miles away from UK shores thanks to the European Union, sparking fury among fishermen closer to home.
Fishing officials in Ireland are worried that they have not been consulted on the negotiations, which could be nearing the final stages of approval. Iceland reportedly wants to strike a deal so that they can catch blue whiting which are common in Irish waters, but cannot be found near the Nordic nation.
Concerns are now growing that fishing will become unsustainable as Irish fishermen worry for their livelihoods. CEO of the Irish Fish Processors Organisation Aodh O’Donnell told GB News: "We fear that this give away of more foreign access to Irish waters is being agreed behind closed doors. There is a lack of clarity and Christmas is upon us, and we are very concerned.
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"From what we hear, Iceland is in advanced consultation with the EU to grant them access to Irish waters to catch an enormous tonnage of blue whiting. Iceland has a highly developed fishing industry with strong interest by other European states."
He added that there is "no justice" in giving the European Union rights to "fish in our waters". It comes as Ireland has decommissioned 39 ships as its industry continues to struggle.
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Mr O'Donnell added: "We aim to work in harmony with other member states, but we will not stand by and watch more plundering of our rich maritime resources by another non-EU country."
Asking why the bloc has failed to "learn lessons from the past", he asked why the EU is pushing an "agenda" which will benefit a non-EU country.
If a deal were to be signed with Iceland, it would give Iceland access to EU waters in general, and Ireland’s mackerel-rich waters in particular - despite being around 1,400km away. Monster Icelandic fishing ships are already plundering mackerel on the border between Irish and Icelandic waters situated off Tory Island in County Donegal.
It comes after Express.co.uk revealed that the EU was accused of a "ridiculous" plot to threaten UK fishermen in the ultimate revenge for Brexit earlier this month. A fresh European Parliament report on EU-UK relations post Brexit has highlighted Ursula von der Leyen's blocs' wish to get "revenge" on Britain, MPs in the House of Commons have claimed.
Members of the European Parliament have called to ensure that the quota of EU boats in UK fishing waters is not slashed. But Lia Nici, the Conservative MP for Great Grimsby - a fishing hub - claims this apparent threat shows how valuable Britain's fishing quotas are. The Brexiteer also highlighted how the UK will be able to reap more fishing-related benefits now that the country has left the European Union.
She said: “This is yet another ridiculous action by the EU to try to threaten the UK with silly suggestions like this. By 30 June 2026, the UK will have taken back full control of all its sovereign fishing waters and fish quotas.
“It will be free to decide who can fish for all of our fish species in its waters, just as the EU and other sovereign nations can with their own quotas, which happens annually. Is the EU seriously considering limiting electricity supplies to the UK if it doesn’t get its own way?
“That clearly proves how valuable our fishing quotas must be! Let’s hope we don’t have a Labour Government by 2026, or they will give it all away.”
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