Luxembourg, 28/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - In their discussion in Luxembourg on Tuesday 28 June on fishing opportunities for 2017, several EU fisheries ministers called for a gradual approach in implementing maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Scientific opinion on most stocks fished in EU waters will be available at the end of June or start of July.
The European Commission confirmed that its proposals in the autumn on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for next year would assume fishing at MSY levels from 2017. It stated that, if member states wanted to postpone compliance with this principle for certain stocks, their arguments would have to be backed up by scientific data. A dozen or so ministers (including those of Spain, France, the Baltic States, Ireland and Denmark) asked to be allowed to make use of the flexibility in the timescale for achieving MSY: by 2017, if possible, and by 2020 at the latest for all stocks (when the MSY targets are known). The Commission advocates the precautionary principle (reducing quotas) when there is no scientific advice on the state of stocks, whereas a number of countries, such as France and Spain, call for TACs to be renewed.
Several ministers welcomed the entry into force in 2017 of the new multiannual management plan for cod stocks in the Baltic Sea and called on the Commission to bring forward further plans covering the North Sea, western waters and the western Mediterranean Sea.
Some countries broached the issue of the consequences of the landing obligation (ending discarding of fish at sea), including re-assessment to increase the 2017 TACs for fish subject to this requirement (as happened in 2016).
France and Denmark raise outcome of United Kingdom referendum. France and Denmark used the debate of fishing quotas for 2017 to speak about fishermen's concerns at the result of the 23 June referendum in the United Kingdom which voted for the country to leave the EU. France said that it would be particular vigilant on the fair application of the common fisheries policy. Some 50% of French fishermen's catches are made in British waters. Following Brexit, UK waters will become third-country waters. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)