Brussels, 03/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 3 September, the European Commission adopted a proposal on fishing possibilities and associated measures for a number of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2008. It is proposing sharp cuts in the volume of catches for most species subject to Total Allowable Catches (TAC), particularly for cod (up to -30%, salmon (-20%, herring (up to -20%). European fisheries ministers will debate the Commission proposal in October. Countries fishing in the Baltic are Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Commenting on this proposal, Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said: “I encourage Member States to work more closely with the industry and the Commission to ensure that the multi-annual plan is fully applied. This will be essential to the rebuilding of the cod stocks and the future of the related fleets in the Baltic Sea.” Borg is due to attend a meeting on Friday 7 September with the Polish minister for maritime affairs, Rafal Wiechecki. This meeting is expected to focus on the very sensitive subject of stopping cod fishing until the end of 2007 (EUROPE 9478). Poland is opposing the Commission's decision, based on quotas having already been reached, to halt fishing this year.
Cod. The Commission is still concerned about the fragility of Baltic Sea cod stocks. Stock in the western Baltic was previously the most plentiful of the two sides but has again fallen to “limits that are below tolerable levels”, explained the Commission. The latter is now proposing to make reductions of 33% in the 2008 TAC compared to levels for the previous year for west Baltic cod from 26 696 tonnes to 17 930 tonnes and cuts of 23% in the EU quota for eastern Baltic cod, from 40 805 tonnes to 31 561 tonnes.
The Commission points out that these proposals reflect provisions in the new cod restocking plan for the Baltic (EUROPE 9294) which aims to reduce fishing mortality by 10% each year, while reflecting the gravity of the latest scientific advice, which justifies exceeding the 15% limit on annual TAC variations. In June, ICES again reiterated its recommendation for a complete closure of the eastern cod fishery, and also advised a 50% cut in the TAC on western cod.
The Commission also aims to introduce a range of technical measures to protect cod. These include a 10% decrease in fishing effort for demersal gear to accompany the reductions in TACs. The Member States concerned may grant aid to the operators affected by these measures under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). The Commission is hoping that these control measures included in the cod restocking plan will help improve the fight against non-declared fishing.
Salmon. The ICES has also indicated that juvenile salmon (at the post-smolt stage) have been showing a very low survival rate. As a result, the adult population of this stock “is set to decline substantially over the next few years”. The Commission is therefore proposing a 15% reduction in the salmon TAC, from 428 697 individual fish in 2007 to 364 392 fish in 2008. The Commission will also be revising the Baltic salmon action plan.
Plaice. The Commission is calling for a 15% reduction in catches for this species bringing it down to 3201 tonnes.
Pelagic stock. The Commission is proposing TAC reductions for sprat stocks (-5% to 432,000 tonnes and for herring (-20% for western Baltic stock, down to 39,600 tonnes). Good news! Central herring stock is faring better, which will allow for 11% increases, up to 148,407 tonnes. (lc)