Total ban on cod fishing not expected
The European Union will not propose a total ban on cod fishing in the Irish sea despite scientific advice that over-fishing could wipe out stocks.
The EU is preparing to publish its proposals for fishing quotas, which are now expected to just reduce the amount of cod that can be caught.
Environmentalists have warned that cod stocks are on the verge of collapse as a result of overfishing.
Scientists want the EU to step-up its rules on how much fish can be caught and where.
They are demanding a complete suspension of cod fishing, plus a zero catch ratio of whiting in the Irish Sea.
