Brussels, 22/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU Council of Ministers adopted a regulation on Monday 20 June updating the regulation which sets total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2011.
The changes take account of the failure of consultations between the EU and the Faroe Islands on fishing opportunities for 2011. Following a further round of consultations with Norway, in March 2011, the fishing opportunities (mackerel quotas in the North-East Atlantic) reserved for the consultations with the Faroe Islands may now be allocated to member states.
The new rules provide for: - flexible arrangements on the use of blue whiting quotas; - general quotas for Norway lobster in zone ICES Vii (Channel and Celtic Sea) and specific quotas for Norway lobster in the Porcupine Bank located within this ICES zone; - TACs for sea bream in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters (while respecting agreed restrictions in periods and zones). The regulation also allows the implementation in EU law: - of decisions taken last year by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) (maintenance of catch quotas for swordfish and the number of vessels authorised to fish for swordfish); - transitional high-seas measures in the Southern Pacific to regulate the pelagic fishery and bottom trawling, while the establishment of a regional fisheries organisation in this region is awaited. (L.C./transl.rt)