Brussels, 03/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 3 October, the European Commission adopted a proposal on fishing opportunities for deep-sea fish stocks in the waters of the EU and the international waters of the north-east Atlantic for 2015 and 2016. In line with scientific advice, the Commission is proposing to increase total allowable catches (TACs) from 2014 figures for four stocks, reduce them for nine and maintain the status quo on five. For four stocks, mainly deep-water sharks, there are no figures to the proposal as yet because the scientific advice will not be published until later this month.
Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: “It is good news that the scientific advice allows for increases for a number of these stocks, but unfortunately the situation is bleak for most of the stocks. We look forward to continue working with the member states to improve the knowledge on these stocks”.
As regards the important stock of roundnose grenadiers west of the British Isles, scientific advice on how to achieve maximum sustainable yield is available. The Commission has proposed a slight cut (-12% to 3,794 tonnes), which should allow it to be fished at sustainable levels in 2015. For 2016, a small increase will be possible (+2%, to 3,858 tonnes).
For four stocks of greater forkbeard, the Commission has proposed 10% increases in 2015.
For a number of other stocks, data is limited and a precautionary approach implies significant cuts to protect the stocks. This is especially the case for red sea bream (a reduction of between 20% and 62% in TACs in both 2015 and 2016) in the West Portugal zone and around the Azores. The scientific advice for the West Portugal zone calls for the development of a recovery plan.
For black scabbardfish in the waters of Scotland and Celtic Sea, the Commission has proposed a 20% cut in 2015 (to 3,173 tonnes in total) and a reduction of 20% in 2016 (to 2,538 tonnes). For this stock in the Spanish and Portuguese waters, the reduction is a bit less (-14% to 3,200 tonnes in 2015 and -14% to 2,768 tonnes in 2016). Deep-sea fisheries represent around 1% of the fish landed from the north-east Atlantic. The fisheries ministers of the EU will set the TACs for these species in mid-December. (LC)