Brussels, 17/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Due to differences of opinion over bluefin tuna quotas for 2011, the countries of the EU were struggling, in Brussels on the evening of Wednesday 17 November, to sing from the same hymn sheet over the position to be defended at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which opened in Paris on the same day. In the event of failure, the European Commission, which is to speak on behalf of the EU, will be reduced to silence over quotas for bluefin tuna.
European Commissioner for Fisheries Maria Damanaki refused to budge. She has so far recommended a reduction in bluefin tuna quotas next year, from 13,500 t in 2010. At Wednesday's meeting of Coreper (Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU), the states of the EU concerned by tuna fisheries (which include France, Italy, Spain and Malta) spoke in favour of keeping in place current fishing opportunities next year.
A compromise text by the Belgian Presidency of the EU was presented to Coreper. Without explicitly mentioning reducing or maintaining the current quota level, it proposed strictly to follow the scientific opinion to achieve a maximum sustainable yield level for stocks of bluefin tuna by 2022, “with the likelihood of 60% or more”, according to this text. The scientists are of the opinion that a stable quota of 13,500 t will make it possible to achieve this, with a likelihood of 60%. In order to achieve a higher probability, it will require a reduction of this quota, say the scientists. Coreper met again at 6: 45 PM to put together its comments on the presidency's text. The Commission opposed it, as it did not refer to a need to reduce catch limits. It needed the unanimity of the countries in favour of the proposal of the Belgian presidency, as the Commission did not support it. However, certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, agreed with the Commission's calls for reductions in catches of bluefin tuna.
The 17th meeting of ICCAT opened behind closed doors in Paris on Wednesday. Its 48 members have 10 days to find a compromise on bluefin tuna, amongst other things. The environmental NGOs Greenpeace, WWF, Pew and Oceana launched a “common appeal for the suspension of the industrial fishing of bluefin tuna, a species whose stocks have fallen by 85% in 30 years”. These organisations are also campaigning for a ban on fishing in spawning areas and a reduction of the quota of 13,500 t, which was allocated in 2010, to a maximum of 6000 t. (L.C./trans.fl)