Commission proposals agreed

The first was related to conservation measures for Mediterranean fisheries, where the need for putting effective measures in place to protect fish stocks and marine ecosystems, as well as an adapted management framework for Mediterranean fisheries, was agreed.

The new measures, which took time to agree, will strengthen the selectivity of towed gears through an increase in trawl mesh sizes. They will also protect the most coastal waters from the use of towed gears.

This is vital for the effective protection of sensitive habitats and of nursery grounds. This new Regulation will allow the use of fishing gear that is better adapted to the needs of the Mediterranean fisheries and marine environment.

The second proposal relates to the use of electronic log books by skippers and vessel remote sensing. These measures, adopted unanimously, will play a very important role in tackling illegal fishing practices and will also make a significant contribution to achieving sustainable fisheries.

The new regulation will lead to the replacement of existing paper-based tools at all stages of the fisheries chain (log book, landing declarations and sales notes). The electronic reporting system will be implemented for all boats over 15 metres by 2011. The result will be a system which is quicker, more accurate, and less expensive. The regulation also introduces the use of satellite imagery for remote sensing of vessels, an important tool in the fight against illegal fishing.

The third deal, also adopted unanimously, related to the proposal on the fishing possibilities on deep sea species for the next two years. Recommendations from scientists were for some substantial cuts in catches on a number of stocks.

In addition to the two successive reductions in fishing possibilities of between 15 to 25% in both 2007 and 2008, the Commission will propose a further 5% cut in the fishing effort exerted on these fish stocks in its forthcoming proposal that will be discussed at the December Council.