The European Commission has proposed its 2019 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 89 stocks, with the fishing quota either increased or the same for 62 stocks and reduced for 22 stocks.
For 27 stocks including Norway lobster and plaice in Skagerrak/Kattegat, the Northern hake stock, Western and Southern horse mackerel, cod, sole and plaice in the Irish Sea, and sole and megrim in the Bay of Biscay, the Commission proposes to increase the Total Allowable Catch. It is proposed 35 stocks are kept at the same level as last year.
Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: "Next year will be a milestone year for European fisheries. Our collective duty is to ensure a good transition to the full landing obligation as of 1st January 2019 while continuing our progress to achieve sustainable fishing by 2020.”
22 stocks decreased
Decreases are proposed for 22 stocks, of which 12 will see a decrease of less than 20%. For five of the stocks, namely cod in the West of Scotland and cod in the Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay/Iberian Waters, whiting in the West of Scotland and in the Irish Sea, and plaice in the southern Celtic Sea and southwest of Ireland, scientists have advised setting a zero quota (Total Allowable Catch) in 2019.
For five stocks captured incidentally, a by-catch quota is proposed at low level to reduce the fishing pressure, subject to conditions. These stocks are caught in mixed whitefish fisheries.
For northern seabass, the Commission is proposing a set of measures, expressed in catch limits (not TACs), following the latest scientific advice. Those measures would allow higher catches for hooks and lines fishery with 7t/vessel (compared to 5t/vessel in 2018) and a "bag limit" for recreational fisheries of one fish/day for seven months, increasing from only three months in 2018.
