Cork, Ireland - Fisherman blockaded the entrance to Cork harbour in southern Ireland Tuesday to protest rising fuel costs and limited fishing quotas, Irish national broadcaster RTE reported.

Some 60 fishing boats formed a circle around the harbour mouth and the fisherman announced by marine radio that they wouldn't allow any shipping to enter or leave.

The harbour is Ireland's biggest after Dublin and an important commercial port.

On Monday night the fishermen prevented a cargo of imported fish from Iceland from leaving Cork airport.

The fishermen claim they have to dump fish at sea because of restrictive quotas while the same types of fish are being imported into the country.

They are also protesting the high cost of diesel fuel.

Meanwhile, in Spain fishing fleets were largely tied up too as fishermen there protested fuel prices. (dpa)