Brussels, 07/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission recently adopted technical measures aimed at allowing young cod to escape from towed nets in the Irish Sea. This initiative comes within an overall recovery plan that responds to the deep concern felt by scientists concerning the state of cod stocks in this zone. The measures proposed were first of all discussed with representatives of the sector.
Given the scientific findings (that cod stocks have fallen to a historically low level and continues to fall), the Council had agreed to reduce, for the current year, the TAC (total allowable catches) by fixing 2,100 tonnes instead of 5,500 tonnes in 1999. At the same time it had shared the Commission's initiative aimed at additional measures for allowing stocks to be replenished. It must be considered that cod, in addition to the direct set TACs, is unintentionally caught when other species of fish are being fished.
The Commission had then established a stock recovery plan while deciding not to adopt any measure without discussing it beforehand with the professionals concerned in order to have their support (which is indispensable for measures to be correctly implemented). The recovery plan has two parts to it: the protection of spawning cod and reduction in the mortality of juveniles. A Commission regulation of 9 February had tackled this first aspect, by setting up a closed area in the Irish Sea, from 14 February till 30 April, where spawning fish congregate. The second part, for which there are new measures, strengthens the selectivity of fishing equipment, and bans the use and possession of nets that prevent the escape of juvenile fish from trawl nets. The measures will be applicable from 2001. They have been the subject of discussion and meetings between national experts, scientists and fisheries' representatives. Commissioner Fischler said he was "delighted by the level of cooperation between the interested parties which has characterised this process".