Brussels, 09/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission adopted a proposal on Tuesday 8 March amending or updating a number of fishing opportunities for 2016 in the Atlantic, Channel and North Sea.
The proposal amending Regulation 2016/72 on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2016 sets a European TAC of 79,219 tonnes for sandeel, scientific advice for which becomes available in the second half of February, while the fishery starts in April. The TAC for 2015 was 357,219 tonnes so the proposed TAC for this year represents a 78% reduction. Other provision in the proposal are still more technical: - updating of the TAC for small-eyed ray (Raja microocellata); - updating of some fishing opportunities to take account of by-catches in Greenland waters; - the transfer of 25,000 tonnes of blue whiting in exchange of Arctic cod and haddock, ling and some other species, following consultations with Norway; - setting a TAC for Chilean jack mackerel; - maintaining the same number of fishing authorisations for Venezuelan vessels fishing for snappers in French Guiana waters as in 2015. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)