Brussels, 18/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - Fisheries ministers from EU member states examined a new draft proposal on Tuesday 18 December on Total Allowable Catches (TACs), quotas and fishing limitation measures for 2008. Negotiations are expected to last up to Wednesday morning, 19 December.
The first compromise text presented on Tuesday morning to the Council was deemed insufficient by a majority of countries: France, Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. These countries did not obtain any concessions from the European Commission regarding their priorities, such as authorised days at sea or the cod stock recovery plan. Denmark, United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands are requesting that going out to sea is not reduced (while waiting for a review of the plan next year). The Commission is proposing reductions that could go as far as 25%. Spain does not want a 10% reduction in fishing days in Southern hake stock recovery plan zones, or for lobster in the Iberian peninsula. Member states also have a list as long as their arm for quota priorities that were not taken into account in the first draft compromise. A summary of this list is as follows:
Anchovies. 7200 tonnes in Portuguese waters in 2008, 10% less than in 2007 (-15% in the initial proposal). For anchovies in the Bay of Biscay, it appears that French and Spanish fishermen are moving towards an agreement on the resumption of anchovy fishing in the first half of the year (with a quota of 8000 for the two countries). This compromise is expected to be ratified by ministers in the two countries, then by the European Commission (it was proposing that this kind of fishing remained closed until the publication of scientific recommendations at the end of May next year).
Cod. The text recommended a 10% reduction in catches in 2008 in the Kattegat, -20% in West Scotland, the Irish Sea and the Celtic Sea. The Commission initially proposed -25% in all cod zones, except for an 11% rise in the North Sea (in compliance with the bilateral agreement with Norway), which cannot be affected by the negotiations.
Haddock. Continuation of 2007 quota (11520 tonnes) for the biggest stocks (Channel, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay).
Hake. -25% for North Sea stock, Irish Sea and Celtic Sea
Monkfish. -20% in 2008 for southern waters of the Bay of Biscay
Mackerel shark. Subject to a Total Allowable Catch for this species in 2008 (targeted fishing by some French fishermen) of 576 tonnes (including 337 for France)
Blue whiting. -26% (175466 t for the EU).
Plaice. Continuation of 2007 volume in Irish Sea, +18% in South East of Ireland.
Coalfish. +10% for West Scotland stock and status quo in the Channel, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay.
Mackerel. -9% for southern Bay of Biscay stock and Portuguese waters.
Skate fish and rays. -25%
Blue jack mackerel. +13% for stock in the Channel, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay.
The first compromise text includes application of “The Hague Preferences” allowing for additional quotas to be granted in the north of the United Kingdom and Ireland for several species (cod, hake and haddock). Some member states, France and Spain in particular, oppose implementation of these preferences, which they consider as too severe penalties on their fishermen. (L.C.)