But fishermen in County Down fishing ports dispute the ICES figures on unreported landings.

'Always a risk'

The problem of unrecorded catches has been recognised by the European Fisheries Commissioner, Jose Borg, who condemned the practice while on a visit to Kilkeel harbour.

"It is a fact that we need to be aware that the control measures need to be properly implemented," he said.

Commissioner Borg said there was "always a risk" for any fishery that "once the quota is exhausted, the fishermen continue fishing and catch beyond that quota".