Brussels, 16/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 July, the European fisheries ministers welcomed the improvement of stocks in the Atlantic, but acknowledged the problems in implementing the measures laid down in the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP).
The Council held an exchange of views on the European Commission's consultation document on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2015. This precedes the “fisheries marathon” of December, which will decide the levels of catch for next year. All of the ministers (Spain, UK, France, Sweden, etc.) welcomed the improvement in the state of stocks in the Atlantic in recent years. Spain referred to the example of northern hake. The Netherlands called for the recovery plans for sole and plaice in the North Sea to be updated. 27 stocks were at MSY (maximum sustainable yield) level in 2012 compared to 2 in 2003. The number of stocks subject to overfishing has fallen from 94% in 2003 to 41% in 2012, the French delegation pointed out.
On MSY, most of the countries stressed the need to observe this principle in 2015 for the stocks for which this is possible and by 2020 at the latest. Even the United Kingdom acknowledged that 2015 should be the aim, but that there will be exceptions.
On the method for setting the TACs, several countries called for a gradual approach to achieving MSY for certain stocks in order to avoid excessively negative effects for the sector. In the case of stocks with insufficient scientific data, certain countries, such as France, argued that the calculation should be carried out on a case-by-case basis, on the basis of the general thrust of the scientific opinions. For stocks for which there is no scientific opinion, a number of countries feel that it would be more reasonable to set the TAC from the previous year again, rather than automatically making reductions.
The countries concerned recognised the seriousness of the situation in the Mediterranean, but Spain and France called for the improved state of bluefin tuna stocks to be taken into account. France stressed that the management plans which have just been adopted should be given time to produce their full effects. Malta raised the issue of stocks shared with third countries (calls for fair fishing conditions).
On the end of discards provided for by the reform (from 2015 for small pelagics and all species in the Baltic), France called for the TACs to be amended to “include catches previously discarded”. (LC)