Brussels, 02/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - In the light of the EU's different agreements with the coastal countries, the regulation on fishing opportunities for 2014 was adjusted by written procedure on 22 April (decision of the Council of Ministers of the EU).
Regulation 43/2014 of the Council fixes, for 2014, fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks in the Atlantic, Channel and North Sea.
The consultations with Norway and the Faroe Islands were concluded on 12 March 2014 and 13 March 2014 respectively (see EUROPE 11038). Furthermore, on 28 March 2014, consultations were concluded among the coastal states regarding blue whiting, and among the EU, Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation regarding Atlanto-Scandian herring. This enabled Norway and the EU to discuss reciprocal arrangements on access to resources in each other's waters. Regulation 43/2014 had therefore to be amended accordingly. The EU and Norway provided for a 5% increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) for cod in the North Sea (27,799 tonnes, with 23,073 for the EU) and a 15% increase for plaice. However, the TACs decrease by 15% for haddock, saithe and whiting, and the TAC for herring falls by 2%.
In addition, in accordance with the outcome of consultations between the EU and Norway, the Union can authorise fishing by EU vessels of up to 10% beyond the quota available to it, provided that any quantities used beyond the quota available to the Union are deducted from its quota for 2015. In the same way, the Union can use in 2015 any unused quantities up to 10% of the quota available to it in 2014. Such flexibility in the fixing of these fishing opportunities in ensures a level playing field for Union vessels by allowing the member states concerned to opt for the use of a flexibility quota.
At its second annual meeting in 2014, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) adopted fishing opportunities for jack mackerel. In addition, the SPRFMO redefined the specific area to which catch and effort ceilings for bottom fisheries will apply from 4 May 2014 onwards. These provisions should be implemented in Union law. Lastly, the new regulation clarifies certain provisions concerning certain stocks, the Western Channel sole effort management regime. (LC)