Prices of key fish species look set to rise in the new year if European Commission proposals to cut quotas are adopted at a European Council summit in December.
The Commission is calling for a cut to 40 out of a total of 72 quotas in the Atlantic and North Sea areas, in order to “restore healthy stocks while allowing the industry to profit from fishing the highest amount of fish”.
Species set to have their total allowable catches reduced include cod caught in fishing grounds to the west of the British Isles (down 88%) and in the Irish Sea (down 68%). North Sea cod, which lost its MSC certification as sustainable in September, is subject to a separate EU multi-annual plan.
Haddock’s TAC is down by 16% in the Irish Sea but has been increased by 30% in other areas. Meanwhile, mackerel has had its quota reduced by close to 50,000 tonnes in most areas, a 41% decrease.
The EC is also proposing a cut in the TAC of northern and southern hake by 20%.
“Today’s proposal consolidates our efforts for sustainable fishing in Atlantic and North Sea waters,” said EU commissioner for environment, maritime affairs & fisheries, Karmenu Vella. “Over past years, we have had a steady rise in the number of healthy stocks and - as a consequence - also a steady rise in the profits of our fishing sector,” he added.
“This is the result of responsible management, primarily by our fishermen, who are the first to implement our conservation measures.”
The Commission’s proposals showed it was “ready to take a step in the right direction”, said campaign group ClientEarth, but it warned they did not go far enough. “Unfortunately, around 40% of the stocks are still overfished or even outside safe biological limits,” said its fisheries science & policy advisor, Jenni Grossmann.
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