Total allowable catches (TACs) for cod stocks will be cut by a further 20% in the west of Scotland and the Celtic Sea, and 15% for the other stocks covered by recovery plans, except for the North Sea where the reduction will be 14%, as agreed with Norway, and the Kattegat where there will also be a cut of 14%. Cod will be further protected by reducing the days vessels may spend at sea. The vessels concerned are those which contribute substantially to the total number of cod removed from the sea.
These effort reductions will range from 7% for vessels using net mesh sizes of over 120mm to 8% for those using meshes of between 100 and 120 mm, as well as for beam trawlers, and 10% for vessels using meshes of between 70 and 99mm.
Commissioner Borg said that the 2004 cod recovery plan had not yet produced the expected improvements in the stocks. The Commission would, therefore, propose a review of this plan in 2007, following consultation with stakeholders.
The Commissioner also pointed out that recovery plans can work, as northern hake and sole in the Bay of Biscay have shown Thus, an increase of 20% in the TAC on northern hake and 12% on Bay of Biscay sole was now possible for next year, due to the improved biological status of these stocks.
As provided for in the recovery plan for southern hake and Nephrops, there will be cuts in both days at sea and fishing possibilities. Days at sea will be cut by 10% and TACs by 8%. There will also be reductions of 15% on North Sea sole and 12.5% on North Sea plaice, two stocks for which the Commission has proposed a long-term plan.
On anchovy, the Council has agreed to retain a zero TAC. To help gather data on this short-lived species, a scheme will be set up involving 10% of the Spanish and French fishing effort. Fishing will take place from 15 April until 15 June 2007. When scientific advice becomes available from ICES, enhanced by the results from this experimental phase, the Commission will decide on whether or not to propose a TAC.
The TAC on ling will be reduced by 20%. There will also be a 10% reduction for herring in areas VI south (West Scotland) and VII b and c (West Ireland and Porcupine Bank). For skates and rays the TAC will be reduced by 20%.
A number of TACs will remain at their 2006 levels, including megrims, horse mackerel and anglerfish in zones VIII (South Brittany, South Biscay, North and North-West Spain) and IX (Portugal). This is also the case for turbot, brill, lemon sole and witch.
TACs for the Baltic Sea and for deep sea species have already been adopted by Council in October and November, respectively. There is no doubt that beginning the process of setting annual fishing possibilities earlier in the year is bearing fruit, as is the increasing involvement of stakeholders in the fisheries management process.
Commissioner Borg concluded: "I trust that this package, along with those for the Baltic Sea and deep sea species will allow us to progress on the road to ecological, economic and social sustainability for European fisheries."