Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2013 for fish stocks under international agreements
The European Commission today presented its proposal for next year's (2013) fishing opportunities for fish stocks which are jointly managed with third parties, such as Norway or Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) throughout the world. International negotiations for many of the stocks concerned are still on-going. The proposal therefore includes relatively few figures at this stage. It will be completed once negotiations with third parties and organisations have taken place.
Commissioner Maria Damanaki said: "Today's proposal concerns those stocks that are managed jointly by the EU with other countries and within RFMOs. For many stocks, the Commission is still negotiating on behalf of the EU Member States. In these negotiations, the Commission will do its utmost to obtain the best outcome for our fishermen while also respecting scientific advice. I strongly hope that our partners and the international community will also show their commitment to sustainable fisheries."
Today's proposal, as well as an earlier proposal relating to fish stocks in the Atlantic and the North Sea will be discussed at the Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels in December.
Background
For fish stocks shared with third countries, the European Commission negotiates towards the end of each year with these countries (Norway, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Russia) the quantities of fish to be caught in the following year, based on scientific advice. For the stocks in international waters and for highly migratory species, such as tuna, the European Commission negotiates fishing opportunities in the framework of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). These must subsequently be transposed into EU law. More information.
