Brussels, 13/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - At the forthcoming European Fisheries Ministers Council in Brussels on 25 May, Denmark will set out the changes it would like to see brought to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), particularly in relation to the system of total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas. Denmark would like catches to be determined by fish caught rather than fish landed. This would mean discards were counted and, so, would encourage fishermen to stop discards and improve the selectivity of their fishing gear. Denmark takes the view that fishermen should be accountable for their total catches, not just landings in port. Fishermen should also provide proof, by means of effective methods (on-board observers, video monitoring), that they are not overshooting quotas of catches. Denmark does not want to impose this vision on all fishermen, but wants to give those who wish it the opportunity to be involved in a “second management track”. Those fishermen who are prepared to accept the responsibility and to document their fishing would be subject to fewer controls, would not have to comply with days at sea rules (a system for managing fishing effort which forms part of recovery plans, especially for cod) and would be granted larger quotas (their current quota, plus what they estimate to be their average discards). They would also receive bonuses. With this system, fishermen would reduce discards by using correct sized nets.
For this new approach to become a reality, there has to be a voluntary and reliable system to record and check catches. Thus it is that Denmark has been conducting a large-scale pilot project since September 2008, with six vessels equipped with surveillance cameras and sensors. The aim is to demonstrate that on-board cameras can be used to monitor catches. Early results have been encouraging and installation costs not too heavy (around €6,000 per vessel). Progress of the project can be followed on the internet site http://www.fvm.dk/yieldoffish . The final results of the experiment will be presented at a conference focusing largely on the reform of the CFP in Aalborg, Denmark on 8 October 2009.
38% of cod discarded at sea. According to environmental organisation WWF, one million tonnes of fish are thrown back into the North Sea every year. ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) estimates that, out of a total of 62,600 tonnes of cod caught in the North Sea, 39% (24,400 tonnes) is landed in ports, 38% (23,600 tonnes) discarded and 23% (14,600 tonnes) unreported. The percentage of discards may be even higher for other species, such as plaice and sole. Currently, many fishermen sweep up all they can in their nets and then discard what they do not want. The Commission and EU countries want to end this waste.
Transferable quotas. Denmark believes that transferable fishing rights (which may be bought and sold) make it easier for the fishing fleet to adapt. In Denmark, a 30% overcapacity in the demersal fleet disappeared in under two years after transferable rights were introduced. Denmark says that “the EU should not set standards for national management of the fleet - besides the capacity reference ceiling - but member states should meet the consequences of their failure to ensure a proper balance between fleet and catch possibilities”. (L.C./transl.rt)