Brussels, 19/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - In Luxemburg on Friday 21 October, the Fisheries ministers of the countries of the European Union will seek to reach political agreement on total allowable catches (TAC) and quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2012.
The Commission proposes (EUROPE 10453) reducing TACs for herring for the central stock and Gulf of Riga by 33% (to 72,178 tonnes) and 21% (to 28,878 tonnes) respectively. Most of the countries concerned, which include Poland and the Baltic states, feel that these cuts are too drastic. For salmon, the Commission proposes cutting the TAC by nearly 80% for the main basin (to 52,974 fish) and by nearly 30% (to 10,884 fish) for the Gulf of Finland stock. Finland and the Baltic states are calling for a reduction of 15%. Denmark and the other countries are suggesting a tightening-up of the checks rather than cutting the salmon TAC by such a large amount. Lastly, most of the countries are opposed to the reductions recommended by the Commission for catches of sprat (-26%) and flounder (-25%). No problem with cod, for which a TAC increase is on the table. (LC/transl.fl)