Council agreement on fishing possibilities for 2006 confirms gradual but sustained approach to stocks recovery

European Commission for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs – Press release

22nd December 2005

Following the adoption of the fishing possibilities for 2006 by the Council of Fisheries Ministers, early this morning, Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, described the agreement as a further step towards ensuring the environmental and economic sustainability of fisheries.  Ministers were discussing the European Commission proposals on catch levels for the Baltic Sea and for the rest of the Union’s waters.  With regard to the main proposal, Commissioner Borg said that the agreement reached would provide greater protection for the stocks that needed it most, namely cod and deep-sea fish stocks.  The measures for the Baltic paved the way for the setting up of a multi-annual recovery plan for cod in 2007, he said.  The Council also adopted a recovery plan for the sole stock in the Bay of Biscay.  This plan aims to reduce the catches of sole until the stock reaches safe biological levels.  A management plan will subsequently be put in place to ensure the continued protection of this stock.

Speaking after Council, Commissioner Borg said: “The measures adopted this morning confirm our gradual and sustained approach which allows for the recovery and protection of fish stocks, according to their biological state, and the continuation of the fishing activities.  Both are essential to ensure the future of our fishing industry and coastal communities.”

Main proposal on total allowable catches (TACs)

With regard to cod, fishing possibilities will be reduced by 15%, as proposed by the Commission.  There are also reductions in the fishing possibilities on other species.  This reduction is smaller than proposed by the Commission in a number of cases, but overall the total allowable catches will be lower next year than they are at present.

The effects of these reductions will be strengthened by fewer days at sea which will also apply to the fleets for which cod is a by-catch but which are responsible for 60% of cod catches.  This is an important measure that should make a significant contribution to the protection and recovery of cod stocks.

There was also some good news – on nephrops, for example.  The improved state of the nephrops stocks has allowed for an increase in fishing possibilities on these stocks.  This will have a positive impact on the fleets concerned.

Baltic Sea

The measures adopted have to be viewed as a first step towards the long-term plan to rebuild cod stocks in the Baltic.  This means that the TACs could be set at a higher level because, in addition to the seasonal closures already in place and which will now apply to all white fish fisheries, there will be a further reduction in fishing effort as well as strengthened control and monitoring of fishing activities on the fisheries concerned.

This, combined with the technical measures, adopted recently and that will come into force on 1st January 2006, means that cod fishing will be subject to much tighter control next year which is good news for Baltic cod.

Deep-sea species

Two measures were taken to protect deep sea species.  First, there will be a 10% reduction in the fishing effort on deep sea fisheries on top of the 10% cut already implemented this year.  In addition, there is a commitment by Council and Commission to examine the situation at the end of next year with regard to the Union’s international commitments in this field.

Second, the use of gill nets will be banned in the northern part of the western waters (west of Scotland and Ireland), in depth of 200 metres and beyond.  The impact of this fishing gear on deep sea fish resources will be examined in the light of scientific evidence so as to identify the measures that should be taken in the future with regard to the use of this fishing gear.

Allocation of blue whiting fishing possibilities

A much-needed agreement was reached last week with the coastal states (Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands) on the sustainable management of the blue whiting fishery.  This welcome deal implies a reduction in the EU’s fishing possibilities.  Council agreed on the allocation of EU fishing possibilities on this stock among Member States in 2006.

Recovery plan for sole in the Bay of Biscay

The Council also adopted the multi-annual plan to help the rebuilding of the sole stock in the Bay of Biscay.  The approach adopted involves a gradual but sustained decrease in fishing mortality – or catches of sole – until the stock reaches a safe biological level.  At that point, management objectives will be set along with the necessary measures to achieve them.

Other points

Commissioner Borg gave the Council an update on the Commission’s progress on initiatives to alleviate the economic crisis currently affecting the fisheries sector.  He also presented the Commission’s Action Plan to simplify and improve the Common Fisheries Policy over the period 2006-2008.


Top