Brussels, 09/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - In line with scientific advice, the European Commission proposed, on Tuesday 9 October, to increase total allowable catches (TAC) in 2013 and 2014 for three stocks of deep-sea fish (two black scabbard fish stocks and one roundnose grenadier stock), and to decrease them for 13 fish stocks (including red seabream, blue ling, red seabream and greater fork-beard) and to maintain TACs at their current level for eight stocks (including TACs fixed at zero for six stocks including deep-sea sharks and orange roughy).
Proposals on fishing possibilities relating to deep-sea fish stocks in the EU and international waters of the North East Atlantic for 2013 and 2014 are due to be examined in December by European fisheries ministers.
For 2013, the Commission proposes to increase by 77% the TAC for roundnose grenadiers west of the British Isles (to 4,500 tonnes). Fishing at these levels should allow this stock to be brought to sustainable levels by 2015 (the so-called maximum sustainable yield, MSY). The Commission is also proposing to increase by 20% and 5% the TACs for two stocks of black scabbard fish stocks in western waters (West of Scotland/Ireland). Also for these stocks, the scientific advice indicates how to achieve MSY in 2015. It is proposed that TACs for the remaining stocks of black scabbard fish and roundnose grenadier be cut or maintained unchanged. Taking the precautionary approach, the Commission proposes to cut by 20% the red seabream and blue ling TACs, as the conservation status of those stocks has not yet been fully assessed.
“To preserve the deep-sea fishery, we need to follow the scientific advice and not overexploit these vulnerable species. Still, three of the stocks seem to be on the path towards recovery and MSY levels. We have a clear management objective: a long-term sustainable use of these stocks”, Maria Damanaki, Fisheries Commissioner, has commented.
Apart from two exceptions, the data available on deep-sea stocks are insufficient to allow scientists to fully assess the stock status, either in terms of number of fish or fishing mortality. Nonetheless, the scientific advice has improved, notably on the stocks that offer the largest fishing opportunities.
Most deep-sea species grow slowly and live a long while, which makes them particularly vulnerable to fishing. Although deep-sea fisheries account for only 1% of fish landed from the North East Atlantic, a number of local fishing communities depend on deep-sea fisheries to some extent. For years now, due to depleted stocks and consequently smaller catches, related employment has also declined. (LC/transl.jl)