Brussels, 25/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Fisheries Council has reached an agreement on the level of the total allowable catch (TAC) for sandeel in 2014, taking account of scientific recommendations. The Council agreed on a regulation to amend the regulation on TACs and quotas for 2014.
The 2014 TAC for the sandeel fishery (temporarily set at zero in December 2013, pending the scientific opinion published on 21 February of this year) has been laid down at 207,219 tonnes, representing a reduction of 21% compared to the 2013 TAC. Denmark obtains a TAC of 195,471 tonnes (7,177 tonnes for Sweden, 4,273 tonnes for the United Kingdom and 298 tonnes for Germany). The sandeel fishing season opens on 1 April.
Following the conclusion of the EU-Norway and EU-Faroe Isles agreements, a higher TAC for blue whiting has been agreed. It will be 185,525 tonnes for the EU in the waters of the North (including the Bay of Biscay), with 36,751 for the United Kingdom, 34,539 for the Netherlands, 28,325 for Denmark, 24,013 for Spain, 21,934 for Ireland and 19,712 for France. In the waters of the South, the EU obtains 30,823 tonnes (of which 24,658 tonnes for Spain).
Additionally, most of the countries welcomed the agreement between the coastal states on mackerel in the north-east Atlantic (see EUROPE 11039 and 11038), although some of them regretted that Iceland remains on the outside of the arrangements. (LC)