Brussels, 11/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - As indicated in yesterday's EUROPE, the European Commission adopted a regulation to re-establish Cod stocks in the Irish Sea. This project establishes a box for a period of ten weeks to protect adult Cod during the spawning period going from mid-February till the end of April, it implements the undertaking made by the European Commission, during the Council during the fisheries Council of last December, to answer the fears of neighbouring countries over the collapse of stocks.
As of the 14 February, a zone going from the east cast of Ireland to the West coast of England will be restricted from all vessels able to fish Cod. The vessels covered by this ban include any demersal (bottom ed.) trawl or seine and static nets such as gill, trammel and tangle nets. So as to conciliate the protection of Cod with fishing activities, the Commission decided to maintain two fishing zones within the box. These zones will enable the fishing of flatfish and Nephrops (Norway lobster) the methods used to capture these species do not threaten Cod, as opposed to methods used for fishing Haddock for which no solution has yet been found. These decisions have been taken after a consultation meeting with those directly affected by the provisions enabling it to decide over these types of measures without having to refer to the other Community institutions.
"I am conscious that these measures are not easy for the sector. But one should not forget that at the end of the day "no fish" means "no fishermen", said Commissioner Mr Franz Fischler who congratulated himself that all the parties recognised the urgency of the situation and worked together to find a solution.