On 1 October the European Commission adopted a proposal for deep-sea fishing opportunities for 2009 and 2010.
The proposal reflects both commitments made by Member States in 2006 to progressively reduce catch levels on certain stocks to zero over four years, and the recent scientific advice confirming the poor biological condition of many deep sea stocks. In addition, the Commission has sought to bring Total Allowable Catches (TAC) more closely in line with actual fishing effort for those stocks where catches are small or close to zero. The Commission is committed to a precautionary approach in managing fragile deep sea stocks.
The Commission set out the principles it would use in proposing TACs for deep sea species in its annual policy statement published in May. For stocks such as Roundnose grenadier, and most red seabream and black scabbardfish stocks the proposal establishes a specific catch level representing a reduction of 15% in both 2009 and 2010. In the case of deep sea sharks and orange roughy the EU is committed to achieving zero catch levels over four years, and the final two years' reductions are proposed accordingly. In certain other cases, substantial one-off cuts in TACs are proposed, in order to bring catch limits more closely into line with real catch levels in the fishery in recent years.
The Commission's proposals are based on advice provided by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), which is then subject to review by the Commission's own Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF). Initial ideas are then discussed with the Regional Advisory Councils concerned by these fisheries, so that stakeholders can offer input to the process at an early stage. It is anticipated that Council will reach political agreement on deep sea catch limits at the meeting of fisheries ministers scheduled for late November.
A comparative table of proposed TACs can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/2008/com08_68_en_table01.pdf
