Lawyers for the NGO ClientEarth have launched a legal challenge to the “unsustainable” total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas agreed between the EU and the UK for the year 2022, the organisation said on Monday 23 May.
In their second round of post-Brexit negotiations, the parties allowed EU and UK fishermen to catch fish stocks for which scientists have issued ‘zero catch’ advice to preserve the stock, explains ClientEarth. This is what is happening for stocks in a poor state like Celtic Sea cod or Irish Sea whiting (see EUROPE 12923/25).
In addition, according to the NGO, the EU and the UK have set TACs for many other stocks at levels “far higher” than the volumes recommended by scientists to avoid threatening the resource.
ClientEarth’s lawyers have asked the EU Council to review the decision on these catch limits. If the Council refuses, ClientEarth’s lawyers will ask the Court of Justice of the EU to rule. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)