Brussels, 13/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 13 March, the European Commission adopted a proposal to adapt the cod quotas allocated to Poland. After official catch reports were examined, it was discovered that Poland had exceeded its cod quota in the Eastern Baltic by 8,000 tonnes in 2007. In October 2007, Poland and the Commission found common ground on the overfishing by Polish fishermen when the fishery was closed (see EUROPE 9530).
The staff of Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg propose to reduce the Polish cod quota by 8,000 tonnes over several years. The 2008 quota will be reduced by 800 tonnes, and the 2009, 2010 and 2011 quotas will each be reduced by 2,400 tonnes. Thus Poland will pay back 10% of its overshoot in 2008, and 30% in each of 2009, 2010 and 2011. (L.C.)