Memo: Results of the meeting of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) of interest to the EU fisheries sector

Agreement was reached at the annual meeting of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), held in London on 14 November 2001, on a number of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for next year. There are no changes in the TACs for Atlanto-Scandian herring or redfish but there is a slight increase in the mackerel TAC. Contracting Parties decided to consolidate the procedure on dispute settlement within NEAFC. To the EU's concern, there was no agreement on a TAC for the important blue whiting fishery for which fisheries scientists are recommending a recovery plan. Meetings will be organised between the interested parties in a bid to reach agreement on this stock and on regulatory measures for haddock fisheries in the Rockall area. There will also be a meeting on deep-sea species.