Brussels, 17/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the EU Council of Ministers adopted without debate two regulations establishing the access conditions and total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for several species of demersal or deep water fish (see EUROPE of 13 June 2002 on political agreement of Fisheries Council).
Fishing possibilities, which were fixed for the years 2003 and 2004, concern the eight following species: - black scabbardfish (7 140 tonnes in total in several areas); - argentine (7 813 tonnes); - tusk (1 155 tonnes); - roundnose grenadier (6 997 tones); - orange roughy (1 437 tonnes); - blue ling (3 841 tonnes); - ling (19 867 tonnes); - and red seabream (2 757 tonnes). The main changes compared to the initial proposal are: - TACs and quotas are established for 2003 and 2004 (with an annual review clause) on the basis of revised statistical data, and no longer for 2002 (according to the initial proposal); - three of the eleven species are taken off the list of species under TAC (deep water sharks, alfonsinos and lesser forkbeard); - the quotas of black scabbardfish, roundnose grenadier, red seabream, orange roughy and ling were increased in some fishing areas; - and TACs are fixed in Community and international waters, in so far as the scientific opinions show there is a need to reduce fishing.
Contrary to the provisions on TACs and quotas, those governing access conditions cover a larger number of benthic species. There is mainly provision for a fishing permit for deep water species, measures for restricting the fishing effort (reduction will be 30% instead of 50% proposed by the Commission) and Member States must designate ports where such species are unloaded.