On Tuesday 17 December, EU Fisheries Ministers discussed compromise texts on total allowable catches (TACs) and 2020 quotas in the Atlantic, the Channel and the North Sea. Discussions were difficult, especially on the fishing arrangements for cod and whiting in the Celtic Sea (see EUROPE 12389/9).
For Celtic Sea cod, provision is made for different TACs (by-catches) according to fishing mortality. In exchange, selectivity measures are proposed (increase in mesh sizes from 80 to 100 mm to allow cod to pass through). However some countries, such as France, seemed to want to adjust these technical measures, hence the need to continue the discussions.
Spain welcomed “progress” on some TACs, such as a 10% reduction in catches of southern hake (the European Commission had expected a 20% reduction) and a renewal of the 2019 TAC for southern jack mackerel to 94,017 tonnes.
The compromise on the table was based on maintaining the TACs for ling, skates, whiting and Bay of Biscay saithe (-30% for saithe in the Irish Sea, the Channel and the Celtic Sea area), a 10% reduction for saithe in the Bay of Biscay and a 12% reduction for megrim. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)