On Monday, 30 April, fifteen non-governmental organisations (NGOs) called for strong measures to ensure recovery of sardine stocks in the waters of the Iberian Peninsula.
The NGOs believe that the Portuguese and Spanish governments have failed to put in place sufficient measures to save the stock, which has been below safe biological limits since 2009 (see EUROPE 12233/9).
They are demanding that: - the stock of Iberian sardines be managed in accordance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) (precautionary approach and reaching the maximum sustainable yield, or MSY); - a long-term recovery plan be adopted for this stock; - the most recent scientific advice be complied with; - "urgent and serious" investment be undertaken in the search for sustainable solutions for the sardine-fishing sector, investment that does more than grant subsidies when fisheries are closed down.
One solution might be to encourage the fishing industry to catch horse mackerel and other species whose stocks are in good condition, instead of sardines. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)