Brussels, 22/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 17 August, the European Commission adopted proposals on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for next year in the waters of the Baltic Sea, with increases for sprat, plaice and certain herring stocks (such as +9% for central herring). The Commission is counting on reduced catch levels for cod and salmon (-11% in the main basin).
According to the Commission, scientific advice indicates that the number of stocks managed at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) level in the Baltic Sea might be increasing. “The cuts in TACs adopted in previous years proved effective and the number of stocks being fished at MSY level could go from three to six in 2013”, it is stated by the department under Maria Damanaki, Fisheries Commissioner. Herring and sprat stocks are managed according to MSY.
Cod. The Commission proposes to decrease the TAC for Eastern Baltic cod by 9% in 2013 to 61,565 tonnes (of which 16,285 would be for Poland, 14,328 for Sweden, 14,143 for Denmark and 5 626 for Germany). It also suggests a 2% reduction in the TAC for Western Baltic cod (to 20,800 tonnes, of which 9,080 would be for Denmark and 4,439 for Germany). These cuts are due to more precise scientific advice being available, the Commission explains. It proposes to keep fishing activity at the same level for Baltic cod (in relation to the number of days when fishing is authorised).
Herring. For the second year running, the Commission is proposing an increase for western herring (+23% to 25,800 tonnes, of which 14,234 is for Germany). After cuts in 2011 and 2012, the Commission is now authorising a 9% increase for TACs of central herring, to 85,155 tonnes (of which 28,481 is for Sweden, 21,216 for Poland and 18,674 for Finland). A 10% reduction is applied for stocks in the Gulf of Riga (to 27,640 tonnes) and a 7% cut hits Gulf of Bothnia herring (to 99,100 tonnes).
Salmon. The Commission is proposing to reduce the TAC for salmon in 2013 by 11% for the main basin stock (to 108,762 individual fish) and to maintain the 2012 level in the Gulf of Finland (at 15,419 fish). Figures put forward are in line with scientific advice received and with the provisions of the management plan for salmon in the Baltic Sea, as proposed by the Commission.
Sprat. The Commission proposes the increase of the TAC for sprat by 11%, to 249,978 tonnes: 73,392 tonnes for Poland, 47,670 for Sweden, 34,583 for Latvia, 28,634 for Estonia, 24,659 for Denmark, 15,622 for Germany, 12,908 for Finland and 12,510 for Lithuania.
Plaice. Scientists have developed a methodology to estimate the size of the plaice stock. The Commission recommends an 18% increase in the TAC for plaice, to 3,409 tonnes (of which 2,443 is for Denmark). (LC/transl.jl)