Brussels, 12/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - In Ireland last Thursday, Commissioner Franz Fischler announced that the only way of avoiding a cod fishing ban (it also involves a ban on other species) would be for the EU Council to adopt an ambitious replenishment plan and significant TAC and quota reductions in December. This would limit fishing catches, introduce technical provisions and toughen up inspections of fishing activities. Mr Fischler made this declaration after the EU Scientific Committee had made its recommendation on the same day, following the International Committee for the Exploration of the Sea's (ICES) suggestion for a moratorium on cod and other species such as haddock and hake (see EUROPE 28-29 October p 13).
The Commission will study the opinion of its Scientific Technical and Economic Committee on Fishing (CSTEP) and meet representatives from the sector on 18 November before presenting proposals on measures to take next year. Almost a year ago, the Commission presented a recuperation plan for cod and hake. This proposal has still not been adopted by the Council. Cod stocks have become so alarming that the measures proposed in this recuperation plan are no longer sufficient to ensure replenishment of these stocks. The Commission has stressed that as well as the moratorium, other solutions would demand that an agreement were reached at a Fisheries Council level for strengthening the cod recuperation plan.