Strasbourg, 13/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - As we mentioned, the European Commission adopted a communication on Tuesday, defining the strategy for the long-term reconstitution of stocks of cod and hake in the North Sea and West of Scotland.
This strategy comprises different measures, including a limit to the volume of fishing activities in the order of 40 to 50%, the setting to total allowable catches (TACs) conforming to the goals of the reconstitution plan, and the implementation of technical measures (increase in the size of meshing and improved controls). The Commission will approve specific proposals towards the end of the year in anticipation of their definitive adoption in the spring of 2002. Commissioner Franz Fischler stipulated that the negative effects of the reduction in the volume of fishing activity for some companies would be compensated through credits from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (Fifg). "It is up to Member States to review their priorities in the light of the reconstitution plans for these stocks", said Fischler.
These reconstitution plans aim to regenerate the biomass of reproducing stocks. As we stand, only three cod in the North sea out of ten reach maturity (4 years old) and 60% of the biomass is caught each year. As activities concerning other species (haddock, whiting, place, sole, Norway lobster, anglrefish and megrim) also have an impact on the resources of cod and hake, the Commission should also be proposing a reduction in the TACs and quotas for these species so as to reduce accessory catches. The Commission also envisages: - taking measures to meet the shortcomings in the field of information on the distribution of stocks, the composition of catches and spawning areas and concentration of juveniles, the selectivity of fishing devices and the definition of biological reference points for the reconstitution plans; - examining the role of measures linked to the market, like the drawing up catch plans for cod and hake by regional fisheries organizations or the suspension of aid for species subjected to a reconstitution plan.