At the December Fisheries Council the 2007 fish quotas were decided.
The main outcomes of the Council include:
Cod TACs cut by a further 20% in the west of Scotland and the Celtic Sea and 15% for other stocks covered by recovery plans, except the North Sea and the Kattegat where the reduction will be 14%.
The vessels that contribute substantially to the number of cod caught will also have their days at sea reduced. The percentage of the reduction will depend on the vessel's mesh size.
Due to the success of the northern hake and sole recovery plan in the Bay of Biscay, the TAC on northern hake is being increased by 20% and there is a 12% increase for Bay of Biscay sole.
As provided for in the recovery plan for southern hake and Nephrops, there will be cuts in days at sea and fishing possibilities. Days at sea will be cut by 10% and TACs by 8%. There will also be reductions of 15% on North Sea sole and 12.5% on North Sea plaice.
A zero TAC on anchovy was retained, while data is gathered on the species (which involves 10% of the Spanish and French fishing effort, from 15 April and 15 June 2007).
The TAC on ling will be reduced by 20%; 10% reduction in herring for West Scotland, West Ireland and Porcupine Bank; and 20% reduction on skates and rays.
The TACs to remain at their 2006 levels include megrims, horse mackerel and anglerfish for South Brittany, South Biscay, North and North-West Spain. Turbot, brill, lemon sole and witch also remain the same.
“The Commission's proposal for the 2007 TACs and quotas was aimed at reinforcing the gradual but sustained approach that offers the best chance of reconciling the need to rebuild depleted fish stocks with the needs of fishers whose livelihoods depends on continued fishing activities. The result was a proposal that has been severely criticised by all sides as being for some too drastic, and too weak for others,” commented Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.
As predicted, certain industry organisations have hit back claiming the decisions to be too drastic, while environmental organisations have called the decisions too weak.
The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) has called the days at sea restrictions a “major blow” for the Scottish fleet. Bertie Armstrong, SFF Chief Executive said “The decision is wholly unsatisfactory. It does not take into account the monumental sacrifices made by the fleet in down-sizing or the fact that we have been fully compliant with the rules to reach this position.”
Oceana believes the TACs and quotas agreed to be “disastrous, disregarding scientific advice and with scant regard for the long-term conservation of fish stocks”, while WWF has called the decisions “a recipe for disaster cooked up by EU Fisheries Ministers”.
However, DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has welcomed the decisions, stating that British fishermen can look forward to healthy incomes this year, due to the agreed quotas.
