The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to meet fishing representatives later today to discuss what they say is a threat to their livelihoods.
The Irish Fish Producers Organisation and the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation said EU restrictions on catches could cause harm to the Irish fishing industry.
The IFPO said it wants the Government to help alleviate financial problems caused by limits on the number of days that fishermen can go to sea and to establish a research and development programme as a matter of urgency.