Brussels, 20/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The independent International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) confirm the need for the European Commission to advise zero catch and quotas for: cod in the North Sea, Skagerrak, Eastern Channel, Irish Sea and West of Scotland; the same for whiting in the Irish Sea. In the case of hake from Ireland down to Portugal, ICES recommends rebuilding plans and zero catch for the southern hake stock. Rebuilding plans are also advised for plaice in the North Sea, cod and plaice in the Celtic Sea and sole in the western Channel and Bay of Biscay.
The balance sheet is rather stark with regard to fish resources but it is not all bad news, however. Some stocks such as North Sea haddock, mackerel and saithe are, according to ICES, in a more healthy condition. Some of the subjects for the meeting on 28-29 October with the Commission and fishing sector representatives will include ways of allowing continued fisheries on stocks that are in a more healthy state but that are caught along with endangered ones. One example is North Sea haddock whose catches include by-catches of cod which is currently an endangered stock.
The Commission bases its proposals on the latest scientific advice from the ICES on TACs and quotas for next year. Last May and June the Commission presented revised plans for reconstitution of cod and whiting stocks in the north (EUROPE 28 June and 6 May 2003). The Commission will soon propose reconstitution plans for hake from the south and for certain stocks of sole and lobster.