At the 20th special meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Portugal from 14 to 21 November, the European Commission intends to present a management plan to save the swordfish stock. According to Italian news agency ANSA, the Commission will propose a total allowable catch (TAC) that will cut catches of this endangered species in the Mediterranean by 25%.
Discussions are continuing among member state experts, particularly with regard to the reference period that is to be chosen in setting the ICCAT TAC. Italy, for example, is arguing for quantities fished in 2015 to be taken into account as this would be to its advantage. Other countries, including Spain, would prefer the 2011-2015 average to be the reference. Another sensitive issue discussed is how to share the reduction effort among the ICCAT countries and among the European Union states.
Bluefin tuna. Bluefin tuna will also be discussed at the next ICCAT meeting. Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece want an increase in the TAC, in addition to the annual 20% rise scheduled for the 2014-2017 period. The European Commission and other countries, including France, are reported to have asked that a fresh scientific evaluation of the stocks in 2017 be awaited and for there to be no further increase in the TAC. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)