Brussels, 30/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Stocks of fish are generally doing better, but this has not yet translated into an increase in fishing opportunities, with the notable exception of hake. In proposals announced on Wednesday 30 October on total allowable catches (TAC) and quotas for 2014 in the Atlantic and the North Sea, the European Commission suggests increasing catch limits for 11 stocks, keeping them at the same level in 25 cases and reducing them for 36 stocks, in line with the scientific advice. It is proposing to keep a number of zero TACs - for cod (West Scotland, Rockall), spiny dogfish and sand eels (Norwegian waters).
The Commission's objective is to achieve sustainable exploitation levels - in other words, maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Wherever possible, scientists give opinions on how to bring stocks to levels compatible with the MSY. This year, the MSY opinion could be submitted for 22 Union stocks.
Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki said that there was good news for some stocks, whilst for others, “some cuts are required”. Generally speaking, “our knowledge of many stocks has improved”, she added.
For various EU stocks which have achieved the MSY level, such as Irish Sea herring (+5% to 5251 tonnes), northern hake (+49% to 81,846 tonnes), megrim in Iberian waters (+86%) and plaice in the Celtic Sea (+20%), TACs can be increased in 2014. The Commission is also proposing a 55% increase in catch of boarfish, to 127,509 tonnes, and a 15% increase in the TAC for southern hake (+15% to 16,266 tonnes). It is also proposing a 30% increase in herring quota in the Celtic Sea, to 22,360 tonnes, and +20% for in Western Scotland.
For some stocks in poor condition, the situation has, unfortunately, not greatly improved since last year. Stocks of cod in the Irish Sea (-20% fishing possibilities) and the Kattegat (also -20%) are still in a lamentable state and the lack of sufficient data makes matters worse. Sole stocks in the Irish Sea are very low and so a 32% decrease in its TAC has been proposed. The Commission is also proposing to cut the TAC for sole in the Eastern English Channel by 45%.
For Celtic Sea haddock, the scientific opinion is unfavourable. The Commission is proposing a cut of 75%, to 3,602 tonnes, in order to bring this stock up to MSY levels.
Stocks of cod and whiting in West Scotland, for which there is an extremely high discard rate, are threatened with extinction.
As regards the stocks for which the Commission does not have sufficient data to estimate the size with any accuracy, the proposal takes account of the opinion of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES): the TAC should be reduced or increased by no more than 20%.
For a small number of EU stocks, the scientific advice was submitted only recently or will only be published this month. For these stocks, the opinions will have to be analysed in depth before any specific data can be proposed for the TACs, which will happen in the course of the autumn.
For fish stocks shared with third countries (Norway, Faroe Isles, Greenland, Iceland and Russia), the European Commission negotiates on behalf of the EU at the end of every year on the quantities of fish to be caught the following year, on the basis of scientific advice.
As regards stocks in international waters and stocks of highly migratory species, such as tuna, the European Commission, representing the EU, is negotiating fishing possibilities within the framework of the Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs). The decisions adopted will then be transposed into EU law.
The Commission has also proposed cuts in TACs for Norway lobster (-18% in the Bay of Biscay, -13% in the North Sea, -10% in the Portuguese waters), plaice in the English Channel (-17%), pollack (-20%), skate (-20%), horse mackerel in Spanish waters (-40% to 15,034 tonnes) and most sole stocks. (LC/transl.fl)