Brussels, 23/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Association of National Organisations of Fishing Enterprises (Europêche) and the “fisheries” section of the General Committee of Agricultural Cooperatives in the EU (Cogeca) have expressed their concern in a press release, published on 23 October, about the European Commission's aim to drastically cut fishing quotas, particularly those for cod and deep sea species (rock grenadier, emperor, blue ling etc). Responding, before the Fisheries Council of 24 October, to the general political declaration on setting fishing possibilities for next year (EUROPE 9266), these organisations take note of the Commission's intention to propose, for stocks judged to be in good condition, variations for Total Allowable Catches (TAC) that do not go above 15% a year. But they say that they are concerned about the announcement of significant reductions and fishing days allowed, notably those for boats fishing for cod and deep sea species. Europêche and Cogeca also criticise the Commission for seeking to apply from 2007, the Johannesburg Summit international commitment of September 2002 for maintaining or re-establishing stocks at a level that would allow a “maximum sustainable yield” (this objective is expected to be attained by 2015 at the latest, EUROPE 9226). (lc)