Brussels, 04/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - MEP Alain Cadec (EPP, France) called on Wednesday 4 March for the Commission to authorise a minimum by-catch of undulate ray.
At the Fisheries Council of December 2014, it was decided to maintain the ban on fishing this species and to review the situation in light of scientific opinion.
A recent opinion by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) notes an improvement in the state of undulate ray stocks in the Channel and in the Bay of Biscay. While STECF is of the view that it is premature to consider re-opening the undulate ray fishery, it leaves the door open to a reduced and closely monitored by-catch.
“Maintaining a total ban would be an economic, scientific and environmental aberration! Scientists say, in fact, that a closely regulated by-catch would allow better evaluation of the stock. The Commission must take heed of what they say”, stated Cadec, in a press release.
He has written to European Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella to invite him to see for himself, with the fishermen, the good health of the stock in some sectors. “I am in no doubt he will accept the invitation and will see for himself the abundance of the species, causing him to be pragmatic”, Cadec said (our translation throughout). (Lionel Changeur)