Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius called on Monday 17 May for a “comprehensive” agreement on Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for 2021 for the stocks shared by the EU and the UK.
He reviewed the situation with the Fisheries Ministers concerned (Spain, France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and Sweden).
The Commissioner added: “We stand ready to continue engaging with the UK to ensure predictability for fishermen and sustainability of stocks”. The EU and the UK are trying to find a compromise on the final fishing possibilities for 2021. The TACs have been set provisionally until the end of July 2021.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions between France and the UK over fishing licences in Jersey (see EUROPE 12714/8).
Speaking to the press, Mr Sinkevičius admitted that “there is no reason to deny that we face challenges”. The Commission wants to “ensure predictability” for fishermen and ensure the “sustainability” of fish stocks. “I would say that huge work has been done from the beginning and we are close to reaching an agreement, but there are still problem points that have to be resolved” he summarised. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)