Brussels, 30/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 1 October, the Commission is due to adopt a proposal sharply reducing total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for deep sea species. These species grow slowly and are vulnerable to overfishing. The permissible catches are for the next two years, 2009 and 2010. In particular, the Commission is proposing a halt to catches of orange roughy in 2010 and to ban catches of the species in the Western Scotland zone from 2009.
Deep sea species are in danger of extinction as a result of overfishing. This fishery is conducted especially by French, Spanish and Portuguese vessels (and, to a lesser extent, by British, Irish and Polish ships). The fishing grounds are in the North-East Atlantic.
The Commission is proposing the following TACs and quotas: 824 tonnes for deep sea shark in 2009 (50% less than in 2008) in the main fishing zone and no fishing in 2010; 2,586 tonnes for black scabbardfish in 2009 (-15%) and 2,198 tonnes in 2010 (-15%) in the northern zones and 3,400 tonnes in -15%) and the same in 2010 for stocks further to the south; 328 tonnes for alfonsinos in 2009 and the same in 2010 (no change from 2008); 3,910 tonnes for the large stock of roundnose grenadier in 2009 (-15%) and 3, 324 tonnes in 2010 (-15%); reductions of between 5 and 66% for orange roughy in 2009 and no catches in 2010; a reduction of 30% in catches of blue ling; a drop of 15% in 2009 and a similar fall in 2010 for catches of red seabream; and no change to current quotas for forkbeards.
Community legislation also provides for a framework for deep sea fishing (fishing permits, limitation of fishing effort). (L.C./transl.rt)