Brussels, 07/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU fisheries ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday 10 November are expected to reach a political agreement on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2015 and 2016 for deep-water species in EU waters and the international waters of the North-East Atlantic.
The Commission, in its proposal which dates from the start of October (see EUROPE 11169), recommended increasing fishing opportunities for four stocks, reducing opportunities for nine and leaving them unchanged for five.
The ministers will have the opportunity to test the mettle of the new environment and fisheries commissioner, Karmenu Vella of Malta, and see how well he resists pressure to water down the fishing restrictions. As it happens, these are stock that are very vulnerable to over-fishing.
Black scabbardfish: in Scottish waters and the Celtic Sea, the Commission is proposing a 20% reduction in 2015 (to 3,173 tonnes in total) and a 20% reduction in 2016 (to 2,538 tonnes). France, Spain and Ireland are calling for current catch limits to be maintained or for the reductions to be less drastic. For the stock in Spanish and Portuguese waters, the reduction proposed is slightly less (-14% to 3,200 tonnes in 2015 and -14% to 2,768 tonnes in 2016). Spain and Portugal are also calling for there to be no change.
Red seabream: the Commission has recommended a 62% TAC reduction in both 2015 and 2016 in the zone west of Portugal. The countries that will be affected would like the reduction restricted to 10%. The proposed cut around the Azores is 34%, and Portugal and Spain are asking for a reduction of only 5%.
Roundnose grenadier: the Commission is proposing a 12% reduction to the west of the British Isles and a 20% reduction elsewhere. The countries affected (France, Spain, Portugal) are calling for the current TAC to be retained. (LC)