The Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal affairs Svein Ludvigsen has decided to reopen the Norwegian fishery for blue whiting in Norwegian and international waters as of July 18. The Norwegian total allowable catch (TAC) in 2005 is set at 890.000 tonnes.
During the Coastal states meeting on blue whiting in Brussels June 27 the Coastal states each Parties agreed to inform each other of the regulatory measures that has been implemented to reduce the total catch of blue whiting in 2005. The Parties also agreed to inform each other which regulatory measures that will be valid for the rest of 2005.
- “May 12 I stopped the Norwegian fishery for blue whiting. I assumed that the other Coastal states would have take action to reduce their total catch of blue whiting in 2005”, says The Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal affairs Svein Ludvigsen.
- “I have evaluated the management measures proposed by the other Parties. Neither the EU, the Faroe Islands nor Iceland has taken actions to reduce their fishery of blue whiting compared with their catches in 2004. I am not impressed by the other Parties willingness to implement management measures, which will lead to real reductions of the total catch of blue whiting.
Bringing the fishery for blue whiting under control is a common responsibility for all Coastal states. Norway will not single-handed take this responsibility. I have therefore decided to reopen the Norwegian fishery for blue whiting in Norwegian and international waters within a total allowable catch (TAC) of 890.000 tonnes. Norway will be the only Coastal state which have implemented measures to reduce the total catch of blue whiting compared to 2004”, says Ludvigsen.
The Directorate of Fisheries is given the authorization to, in cooperation with Institute of Marine Reserarch, to establish areas closed for fishing to avoid catch of juveniles and bycatch of other species.
