Brussels, 22/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - The coastal states - Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland - the European Union and Norway reached agreement in Reykjavik on 17 March on multi-annual interim conservation and management measures for redfish in the Irminger Sea (the waters between Iceland and Greenland in the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission - NEAFC - convention area). The measures, based on an EU proposal, will apply immediately.
In line with International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advice, there will be no fishing of shallow pelagic redfish at the present time. It was agreed that the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) for the deep-water redfish stock should be reduced to 38,000 tonnes. Thereafter, there will be progressive reduction so that, by 2014, catch levels will be at 20,000 tonnes, in line with scientific advice.
To ensure a more coherent approach, NEAFC will also establish a long-term management plan for both shallow and deep-water stocks of redfish in the area. This plan will include appropriate harvesting rules. (L.C./transl.rt)