Brussels, 08/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 7 May, the EU Council of Ministers adopted, without debate, the regulation setting up a recovery plan for sole stocks in the Western Channel. The plan, to run from 2007 to 2009, is, firstly, a recovery plan (including limiting both catches and days fishing) and, secondly, a management plan (limiting quotas only). The aim of the multi-annual plan is the sustainable exploitation of sole stocks in the Western Channel, by ensuring that fishermen (French, British and Belgian) observe a mortality rate of 0.27 on appropriate age groups.
For 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Council will set the total allowable catch (TAC) in sole at a level 20% below the mortality rate by fishery. For 2010, 2011 and 2012, fishing possibilities will probably allow a reduction of 15% of the mortality rate by fishery.
Council will decide on the maximum number of days at sea for Community beam trawlers operating in the Western Channel, with mesh sizes of 80mm or above, and Western Channel vessels equipped with fixed nets with a mesh size of 220mm or less. The fishing effort for 2008 and 2009 is set at the same level as in 2007 (16 days per month).
With regard to monitoring catches, a tolerance level in estimates of Western Channel sole held on board vessels is set at 8% of the quantity recorded in the logbook. In addition, the competent authorities of a member state will be able to require that all landings of common sole of more than 300 kg, caught in the Western Channel and landed for the first time in a member state, is weighed with inspectors present, before being transported out of the port of first landing. (lc)