This is the annual proposal for the amount of fish that EU fishermen may catch from the main commercial fish stocks in the Black Sea. The proposals, which affect Bulgaria and Romania, are based on the EU's reformed Common Fisheries Policy and take into account the best available scientific advice.

For sprat, the Commission proposes to maintain a catch limit of 11 475 tonnes. 70% are allocated to Bulgaria and 30% to Romania.

For turbot, the Commission proposes to keep the quotas at the same level as 2016, i.e. at 86.4 tonnes.  

Today's proposals come on the back of successful work by Romania and Bulgaria to reduce illegal and unreported fishing for Black Sea stocks. Throughout 2016, both countries increased the controls on catches of turbot and imposed stricter monitoring, control and surveillance measures onto their vessels. As a result, the effectiveness of fisheries management measures has improved. Romania and Bulgaria have committed to implementing additional control measures in 2017.

The proposal will be discussed by EU ministers at the Fisheries Council on 12-13 December.

Background

The Commission is promoting a regional approach to fisheries management in the Black Sea. In May 2015, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) adopted measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in turbot fisheries in the Black Sea as well as management measures for dogfish in the Black Sea. Both sets of measures entered into force in November 2015. In May 2016, they were reinforced with additional management measures aiming to further protect the stocks in danger.

The Commission considers that those measures are necessary but not sufficient to guarantee the sustainability of both species, and will continue working on establishing a management plan for turbot in the region in 2017. In addition the Commission will work with Romania and Bulgaria as well as with other riparian States and the GFCM to implement actions for the Black Sea set out in the GFCM 2017-2020 multi-annual strategy and  the recently adopted Bucharest Declaration of the High-Level conference towards enhanced cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture.

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