Brussels, 25/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission proposed on Friday 25 November that the total allowable catch (TAC) for turbot for EU vessels fishing in the Black Sea be reduced by 15% in 2012. TAC and quota proposals for the Black Sea, which will be negotiated in the Fisheries Council at the end of the year (14-15 December), concern only Bulgaria and Romania.
The Commission is calling for a 15% reduction in fishing opportunities for turbot compared with 2011, to 74 tonnes (37 tonnes for each country). In addition, it wants a ban on fishing for this species from 15 April to 15 June.
The Commission proposes to keep the 2012 TAC for sprat at the same level as at present: 11,475 tonnes (8,032.5 tonnes for Bulgaria and 3,442.5 tonnes for Romania). The proposal takes account of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) opinions. (LC/transl.rt)