European fisheries ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Monday 10 October to try to come to agreement on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2017 in the waters of the Baltic Sea.
Discussions on restrictions on cod fishing in the Baltic (see EUROPE 11633) are expected to be tough.
The European Commission has proposed a TAC of only 1,588 tonnes for cod in the eastern waters of the Baltic, a cut of 88% on 2016 catches. While some countries, including Poland, Sweden and Finland support the proposal, Germany and Denmark are calling for less drastic cuts. Denmark is believed to have called for a cut of 20% in catches. Some NGOs, including Oceana, are calling for the fishery to be closed in 2017 to give the cod stock an opportunity to recover.
The TAC reduction for cod in the eastern Baltic is not as great: down 39% to a total of 24,927 tonnes. The Baltic States, Denmark and Germany are, however, calling for a less severe cut. In addition, some countries are against the proposed extension of the season closure of the fishery.
The Council will also hold discussions on two further stocks: Gulf of Riga herring (the Commission proposes a 21% cut) and Gulf of Finland salmon (-28%). The Commission proposal to increase catch limits for six fish stocks (Western, Bothnian and Central herring, sprat, plaice and main basin salmon) is expected to be approved without difficulty by the Council.
On Sunday 9 October, the ministers whose countries are involved in fishing in the Baltic will meet to try to bridge their differences, particularly on cod TACs.
EU-Norway. The Council will hold an exchange of views on the position to take at the annual consultations between the EU and Norway under their bilateral fisheries agreement for 2017. Two rounds of consultations are planned: the first in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 8 to 10 November and the second in Bergen, Norway, from 29 November to 2 December.
ICCAT. Ministers will exchange views on the position to be taken by the EU at the 20th special meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), scheduled for 14 to 21 November 2016 in Portugal. The Commission hopes the EU will argue for measures to protect swordfish stocks in the Mediterranean. Ministers, however, are divided on whether there is a need for a recovery plan for ailing swordfish stocks. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)