Brussels, 05/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On 2 May, the European Commission adopted a proposal which aims to bring changes to the regulation on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2011.
The proposal seeks to bring in two amendments in order to revise the administration of certain quotas without impacting on the overall TACs involved. The first amendment allows Spain and Portugal the opportunity to use their blue whiting quotas flexibly between the two zones. The second relates to the revision of the allocation key to the special condition applying to the Norway lobster TAC in sub-area VII, which limits the maximum catches that can be taken in the Porcupine Bank. The proposed amendment seeks to ensure that the allocation key is based on effective track records of catches in the Porcupine Bank.
The proposal takes account, too, of innovations in the regional fisheries organisations. Chilean jack mackerel quotas in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) were only established after the 2nd Preparatory Conference for the SPRFMO Commission which took place on 24-28 January 2011. Consequently, it was not possible to include these quotas in the relevant table of the adopted regulation. They now have to be included in the text. In addition, on 10 December 2010, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) agreed on two additional fishing opportunities for EU vessels which, due to the timing of the decision, can only now be added to the regulation on 2011 TACs and quotas. (L.C./transl.rt)