Brussels, 22/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The French and Irish fisheries ministers called, on Tuesday 19 July, for an increase to be brought in as quickly as possible in the current total allowable catch (TAC) for cod in the Celtic Sea. The request, backed by the UK and Spanish delegations, follows on from the latest ICES scientific advice, which points to exceptionally high numbers of cod in that zone.
France and Ireland argue that the increase they are calling for in the cod quota in the Celtic Sea is a matter of some urgency if significant discards of cod are to be avoided in the fishing season. European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has acknowledged that the scientific advice in 2010 had under-estimated recruitment from the 2009 cod age class. She pointed out that a TAC increase could, however, lead to increased numbers of juvenile fish being caught. The Commission proposes to make an increase in the cod TAC conditional on the adoption of emergency measures (Article 7 of the common fisheries policy basic regulation). These measures would serve to reduce the numbers of juveniles caught through more selective fishing gear. EU scientists deliver their opinion in September. (L.C./transl.rt)