The EU Commission says that “While the state of most Baltic fish stocks is fairly good, allowing for stable or even increased fishing possibilities to be proposed, the cod stocks continue to give cause for concern. The objective is therefore to rebuild these cod stocks and protect those in a sound biological state while maintaining, as far as possible, the economic activities of the fleets concerned.”
The Commission's proposals, up for discussion at the mid-December Council of Fisheries Ministers, respresented what it said was a first step towards a long-term recovery plan. Fishing effort would be reduced by 10 per cent in 2006 and some temporary closures are also on the way.
Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said : “Our common aim is to ensure the recovery of the Baltic cod stocks while keeping the economic constraints on the fleets concerned as low as possible. For this gradual approach to succeed, fishing possibilities and reduction of effort must go hand in hand.”
The 2006 catch limits will stay the same as 2005 for other stocks except for an increase in herring and a decrease in sprat. Traditionally, Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas have been implemented through a single Council Regulation.
