The European fishing industry, represented by Europêche, expressed its deep concern and disappointment at the sharp reductions in catches proposed for many species (including anchovy) at a meeting on Thursday 26 September with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and representatives of EU Member States.
The organisation has asked the Commission for “more flexibility” and a 10% increase in total allowable catches (TACs) for cod in the North Sea.
Europêche also welcomed the fact that the Commission had included fisheries in broader diplomatic discussions between the EU and Norway. Europêche did, however, encourage the Commission to adopt “a firm stance against the uncooperative and irresponsible practices from Norway, including the unilateral setting of excessive mackerel quotas and cod quota grabs”.
On tuna, Europêche has called for the moratorium on FADs (fish aggregating devices) to be lifted, to “prevent the collapse” of the purse seine fleet, whose vessels and catches have already plunged by 40% since 2016.
Details: https://aeur.eu/f/dli (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)