The European Commission adopted a proposal on Friday 24 February for a multiannual management plan for the exploitation of small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea. Total allowable catches (TACs) for anchovies and sardines could be reduced in the event of the stocks being in danger (see EUROPE 11704).
The most lucrative and most sought after small pelagic stocks are anchovies and sardines, which are caught almost exclusively by Italy and Croatia, in the northern part of the Adriatic. The only other member state involved in the fishery is Slovenia, which accounts for less than 1% of total catches; Albania and Montenegro also have an equally small fraction of catches.
The scope of the multiannual plan targets small pelagic stocks (more specifically, anchovies, sardines, mackerel and horse mackerel) in the Adriatic. The objectives of the said plan are to maintain maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for the stocks concerned. The proposed targets are expressed as fishing mortality ranges with a deadline of 2020 at the latest. Targets have been included for anchovies and sardines. Conservation reference points, expressed in tonnes of spawning stock biomass, are set out.
TAC reduction. It will be possible for safeguards and specific conservation measures to be adopted. When scientific advice states that any of the stocks concerned is below the conservation reference point, the allowable catches for that stock should be reduced. This measure may be complemented when necessary by measures such as technical measures or Commission or member state emergency measures.
In addition, the plan contains provisions on the landing obligation and on control. With regard to electronic logbooks and the vessel monitoring system, the provisions contained in Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 are extended to cover all vessels over eight metres in length in order to improve control of the fisheries covered by the multiannual plan. In terms of designated ports, a threshold (2,000 kg for each of the species) is provided in the proposal above which anchovy and sardine should only be landed in ports with enhanced controls.
Hitherto ineffective management framework. Current management measures have proved to be ineffective. The most recent scientific advice indicates that anchovy and sardine in the Adriatic Sea are “still being overexploited” and stocks “are likely to decline further”, the Commission says. “We are far from the target of exploiting stocks at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2020 at the latest.” (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)