Brussels, 03/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The organisation Oceana has welcomed the “exemplary” Commission decision of 1 March according to which France still has not taken all the necessary measures to prevent the capture and commercialisation of under-sized hake (see EUROPE 9142 and 9143 on the reaction of France). The marine protection organisation denounces such fishing practices which, it says, have unfortunately become common practice on several European markets. Spain, for example, fishes and markets under-sized hake (known as “carioca”) and could well become the European Commission's next target, Oceana warns. “It is very gratifying to see that the European Commission is putting into effect the mechanisms to ensure compliance with fisheries legislation. Offenders must understand that the time for their impunity is coming to an end and that the dramatic state of fisheries resources can no longer allow illegal or underhand practices”, said Xavier Pastor, the Director of Oceana. Mr Pastor nevertheless called on the Commission to raise the minimum sizes of the protected species, as the current measures do not ensure sufficient protection.