Brussels, 24/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 20 April, the European Commission adopted a proposal amending a number of regulations on fishing possibilities dating from 2006 and 2007:
Ban on fishing in the Baltic Sea: Council regulation 1941/2006 sets the total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2007. The amendments proposed are to provide retroactive clarification of the provisions on the allocation of the additional prohibited days by member states on a national basis.
Deep-sea species: Council regulation 2015/2006 sets fishing opportunities for Community vessels for certain deep-sea species (blue ling, orange roughy, roundnose grenadier etc.) in 2007-2008. The proposal will ensure the correct identification of the areas in which quotas can be fished.
Pacific tuna: at its third annual meeting on 11-15 December 2006, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission adopted measures to protect tuna resources. Since the EU is a contracting party to this organisation, these measures have to be transposed into Community legislation. Member states will have to submit management plans for yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna and south pacific albacore in the Convention Area.
Norwegian spring-spawning herring: on 18 January, the EU, the Faroe Isles, Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation reached an agreement on fishing possibilities for the Atlanto-Scandian (Norwegian spring-spawning) herring in the north-east Atlantic. In line with this agreement, the number of licences granted to EU vessels will rise from 77 to 93.
The Commission calls on the Council to adopt this proposal as soon as possible “in order to allow fishermen to plan their activities for this fishing season”. (lc)