Brussels, 14/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided on Monday to ban fishing for cod and flatfish in the Baltic sea from 15 April to 31 May, as Commissioner Franz Fischler annoucned at the last Agriculture-Fisheries Council (see EUROPE of 10 April, p.14). These emergency measures, which concern fishing with trawls and bottom seines, mean the extension by a month and a half of the summer ban on cod fishing (1st June to 31 August 2003). The Commission and national experts will put together a specific surveillance monitoring programme to ensure the efficiency of these measures.
In view of the latest scientific advice, the Commission also feels that it is crucial to reassess the Baltic stock recovery plan implemented in 2001, notably with a view to improving the selectivity of fishing gear. It will therefore make such a proposal within the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission, so that the necessary adaptations can be implemented once cod fishery reopens on 1 September. This update will affect all aspects of the action plan (authorised boats and minimum mesh size), whilst taking account of the economic impact of new measures on the sector. The Commission also hopes to organise a regional seminar to examine the different subjects under discussion with the sector. The Commission believes that all these measures have the same goal, which is to reduce catches of young fish.
The Commission points out that the EU manages fisheries in the Baltic within the framework of the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission. A long-term management plan for cod stocks in the Baltic was put in place in 1999. Despite this plan, the state of cod stocks worsened and a recovery plan was established in 2001, providing for: - a summer ban on cod fishing; - the closing of certain zones; - restrictions applicable to the type and size of fishing gears; - minimum mesh size and minimum size of landed fish.