Brussels, 10/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - In addition to the agricultural issues on the agenda in Luxembourg on Monday 13 October, EU agriculture and fisheries ministers are expected to reach a political agreement setting the fishing opportunities for 2015 for certain fish stocks in the Baltic Sea.
Discussions will be difficult, especially for cod (see EUROPE 11147 on the initial proposal). The Commission is proposing a 20% reduction in eastern cod catches (new figure recently received) and a 48% cut in the TAC (total allowable catch) for western cod in the Baltic. Denmark is calling for the roll-over of the 2014 TAC for eastern cod and Poland is seeking the reduction to be no more than 15%. With regard to western cod, Germany cannot understand why such a drastic cut has been proposed (if a different method of calculation were to be used, a 12% increase would be a possibility, the German delegation argues). Denmark is calling for a gradualist approach to achieving MSY (maximum sustainable yield) and wants the current TAC to be kept in place for 2015. Poland could accept a reduction of 15%. Finland would be willing to accept a cut, but less than that. Lithuania feels the proposed reduction is too severe.
Salmon. Following the reduction in catch limits over the last few years for two stocks of salmon (in the main basin and in the Gulf of Finland), the Commission is proposing additional cuts, of 8% and 23% respectively, for 2015, in order to protect stocks. Estonia has complained about the recommended cut in the Gulf of Finland, while Finland has accepted it.
Sprat. Denmark accepts the recommended 17% cut while Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are calling for a 10% reduction.
Herring. The Commission is proposing only increases in the herring TACs, something that the member states are happy to accept. With regard to plaice, Denmark, Germany and Poland are calling for the current quota to be maintained unchanged (the Commission wants a 5% cut).
In addition, ministers will hold an exchange of views on EU-Norway consultations, ahead of the conclusion of a bilateral annual fisheries agreement.
The Council will also debate the next annual meeting of ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) in Genoa, Italy, on 10-17 November. Several EU member states, including Spain, Malta and Greece, are expected to seek an increase in the bluefin tuna TAC. The consequences of the current Russian embargo on exports of fish from the EU is also on the agenda, under “any other business”. Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has announced that, in the light of this ban, she would propose allowing the shift of up to 30% of certain fishing quotas to 2015 to support Europe's fishing sector in these exceptional circumstances (usually flexibility is limited to 10%). The most vociferous countries in calls for this increased flexibility are Ireland, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Romania, Denmark and Portugal.
Also due to be discussed, at the request of Lithuania (supported by a number of countries, including France and Spain), is the detention of Lithuanian fishing vessels by Russia. (LC)