Press Release: Commission: Council decision on 2007 fish quotas confirms gradual approach to sustainable fisheries

"Every December Fisheries Council is difficult and this year was no different. The Commission's proposal for the 2007 TACs and quotas was aimed at reinforcing the gradual but sustained approach that offers the best chance of reconciling the need to rebuild depleted fish stocks with the needs of fishers whose livelihoods depends on continued fishing activities. The result was a proposal that has been severely criticised by all sides as being for some too drastic, and too weak for others. Yet, despite the difficulties, I believe that the agreement reached tonight reinforces our gradual but sustained approach to delivering sustainable fisheries", commented Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. He was speaking in the early hours of Thursday, 21 December 2006, after the unanimous adoption of the Presidency compromise on fishing possibilities for 2007.