Brussels, 12/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU fisheries ministers are facing tough talks on setting total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2015 when they meet in Brussels on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 December.
Discussions are expected to be difficult since this will be the first year of firm application of the reformed common fisheries policy (CFP) (requirement to land all catches, achievement of maximum sustainable yield). The European Commission has made very daunting proposals for fishermen, looking to achieve maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for most stocks as early as 2015. Several countries, including Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, advocate a more gradual approach, reaching MSY in 2015 where possible and by 2020 at the latest. Talks will take place at a particularly difficult time for fishermen. The technical measures putting into effect the reformed CFP will not be effective from 1 January 2015 due to a delay in the adoption of the implementing regulation on the landing obligation. In addition, the EMFF (European maritime and fisheries fund) programmes designed to help fishermen implement the reform have yet to be adopted by the Commission.
Discussions are likely to focus on the following stocks: - anchovy (Spain and Portugal are calling for a 10% increase in the TAC); - cod in the Celtic Sea: the Commission is proposing a 64% cut but France, Ireland and Belgium are seeking a much less drastic reduction - France (120mm square mesh panels) and Belgium have made suggestions on selectivity; - megrim in the Bay of Biscay: Spain is calling for a 13% increase; - monkfish: the 12% reduction is being challenged by France, the UK and Spain; - haddock in the North Sea: the UK is looking for a 12% increase; - haddock in the Celtic Sea: the Commission is proposing a 41% cut which is felt to be too severe by France, Belgium and the UK (problems with discards); - hake: Spain is seeking an increase of 26%; - langoustine in the Celtic Sea: the 20% reduction is not to the liking of the UK or Ireland; - langoustine in the Bay of Biscay: the Commission recommends a 17% cut but France and Spain want the TAC to remain unchanged; - sole in the North Sea: the Netherlands and Belgium want the TAC to remain the same; - sole in the Eastern Channel: the Commission is proposing a 60% cut and France is prepared to take ambitious measures if the Commission agrees to a less severe reduction; - sole in the Bay of Biscay: France and Belgium are calling for the TAC to remain at 3,800 tonnes. (LC)