Brussels, 10/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - EU member states' fisheries ministers are expected to enter tough negotiations in Brussels on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 December over the fishing quotas and total allowable catches (TACs) for 2011 in the waters of the Atlantic, North Sea and English Channel. The Council is expected to decide on fishing quotas for sprat and turbot in the North Sea for Romania and Bulgaria.
Time is racing ahead for the EU's target (set at the World Development Summit of 2002) of exploitation of fish stocks by 2015 that is compatible with maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Hence the strict proposals unveiled on 11 November by EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki on fish quotas for 2011. Several member states criticise the Commission for not always following scientific advice (arguing that this is the case for several stocks of whiting, monkfish, Norway lobster and sole) and the recovery of various stocks of cod, hake, sole and the like.
According to the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the three most tricky subjects at this marathon Fisheries Council (which might last until Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning) are the recommended restrictions on cod fishing for Category 11 stocks (for which there is no scientific opinion) and systems for restricting fishing. For cod, the Commission is recommending a 50% reduction in TAC in three areas (Kattegat, Irish Sea and West Scotland), which is problematic for various counties, including France, Ireland and, to an extent, the United Kingdom. For countries like France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and others, the use of a new calculation method for fish caught under the cod recovery plan applying to the North Sea, Kattegat, West Scotland and Irish Sea will lead to excessively large reductions in cod fishing. For Category 11 fish stocks, the Commission is suggesting reducing the TACs by 15% but this is challenged by Spain, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom.
Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Ireland oppose the plan to set up a fishery reduction system for the Celtic Sea. Spain and France oppose the suggestion of a 10% reduction in hake fishing in the South. Spain is calling for a 15% cut in the hake TAC in the North. The United Kingdom, Denmark and Germany want the 12% incentive quota for ships taking part in the full documentation of catches programme (on-board cameras and banning rejects) to be extended to other fishing areas. (L.C./transl.fl)