The French Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dominique Bussereau, reminded his colleagues at the EU meeting in Brussels on 18 July, that he was against the European Commission's decision announced on 13 July (and which takes effect on 22 July) to close anchovy fishing in the Bay of Biscay until 31 December 2006. He said he would endeavour to have an anchovy quota opened again for 2007, as was the case early 2006 (before closure). France will be providing financial support, jointly financed at 50% by the EU budget, of €3,700 gross per fisherman during the 45 days of cessation of fishing activity to allow biological regeneration. This is the same allowance system as last year when fishing activity was closed from July to December. Spain also plans to provide assistance to the fishing sector: 85 euros per fisherman per day for 40 days.