Last December the European Council concluded the fishing possibilities for 2006 for the different species in EU waters.
With regard to cod, fishing possibilities will be reduced by 15%, as proposed by the Commission. There are also reductions in the fishing possibilities on other species. This reduction is smaller than proposed by the Commission in a number of cases, but overall the total allowable catches will be lower next year than they are at present.
The effects of these reductions will be strengthened by fewer days at sea which will also apply to the fleets for which cod is a by-catch but which are responsible for 60% of cod catches. This is an important measure that should make a significant contribution to the protection and recovery of cod stocks.
There was also some good news – on nephrops, for example. The improved state of the nephrops stocks has allowed for an increase in fishing possibilities on these stocks. This will have a positive impact on the fleets concerned.
Baltic Sea
The measures adopted have to be viewed as a first step towards the long-term plan to rebuild cod stocks in the Baltic. This means that the TACs could be set at a higher level because, in addition to the seasonal closures already in place and which will now apply to all white fish fisheries, there will be a further reduction in fishing effort as well as strengthened control and monitoring of fishing activities on the fisheries concerned .
This, combined with the technical measures, adopted recently and that will come into force on 1st January 2006, means that cod fishing will be subject to much tighter control next year which is good news for Baltic cod.
Deep-sea species
Two measures were taken to protect deep sea species. First, there will be a 10% reduction in the fishing effort on deep sea fisheries on top of the 10% cut already implemented this year. In addition, there is a commitment by Council and Commission to examine the situation at the end of next year with regard to the Union's international commitments in this field.
Second, the use of gill nets will be banned in the northern part of the western waters (west of Scotland and Ireland), in depth of 200 metres and beyond. The impact of this fishing gear on deep sea fish resources will be examined in the light of scientific evidence so as to identify the measures that should be taken in the future with regard to the use of this fishing gear.
Allocation of blue whiting fishing possibilities
An agreement was reached with the coastal states (Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands) on the sustainable management of the blue whiting fishery. This welcome deal implies a reduction in the EU's fishing possibilities. Council agreed on the allocation of EU fishing possibilities on this stock among Member States in 2006.
Recovery plan for sole in the Bay of Biscay
The Council also adopted the multi-annual plan to help the rebuilding of the sole stock in the Bay of Biscay. The approach adopted involves a gradual but sustained decrease in fishing mortality – or catches of sole – until the stock reaches a safe biological level. At that point, management objectives will be set along with the necessary measures to achieve them.
