Brussels, 25/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - Despite the outcry of indignation from a number of ecological organisations, the European Commission said it was pleased with the agreement reached during the evening of Monday 24 November by ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna) to strengthen the recovery plan for bluefin tuna. The total allowable catch (TAC) for this species will be reduced by 30% over two years, the fishing season will be reduced and additional control measures will be implemented under the compromise bitterly negotiated by the 45 parties to ICCAT.
“We need tough action to secure the future of the bluefin tuna stock and ICCAT's revised recovery plan demands further sacrifices from the fishing industry, with major immediate cuts in catch levels and fishing seasons, and reductions in both fishing and farming capacity to follow”, said Joe Borg, Fisheries Commissioner, going on to add: “What's more, the revised plan defines mechanisms for control throughout the marketing chain. We now have the tools to make sure that 2009 is the 'Year of Compliance' for all ICCAT members involved in this fishery”.
The main decisions taken by ICCAT on bluefin tuna are: - reduction of total TAC from 28,500 tonnes in 2008 to 22,000 tonnes in 2009, 19,950 in 2010 (with a reduction to 18 500 foreseen in 2011), given that the EU has around 58% of global TAC; - the fishing season for purse seiners will be authorised from 15 April to 15 June only; - fishing capacity shall be immediately frozen at 2007-2008 levels, followed by a plan to reduce capacities; - farming capacity in 2009 must not exceed the maximum authorised annual input over the period 2007-2008 and in subsequent years the capacity will be further reduced; - market measures are to be strengthened, banning import and export operations for all bluefin tuna for which there is no quota; - national fishing administrations will allocate individual quotas for boats over 24 metres; - the minimum size derogation for pelagic trawlers in the Atlantic will be removed (derogation of 8 kg or 75 cm, when the general rule is 30 kg or 115 cm); - transhipment at sea will be prohibited; - and catch limits will be set for sports and recreational fisheries. (L.C./transl.jl)