Press Release: 2007 fishing possibilities: “consolidating long-term management approach based on science and stakeholders’ expertise is key to sustainable fisheries”

On 5 December 2006, the European Commission tabled its annual proposal on fishing possibilities and attendant measures for 2007. This proposal takes account of the latest independent scientific advice on the state of fish stocks from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), received last October (IP/06/1405), the Commission’s own Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF), and input from stakeholders. To extend consultation prior to tabling this proposal, on 15 September, the Commission outlined the approach it intended to take in a Policy Statement (IP/06/1198). Today’s proposal applies this approach to the scientific advice received since then. While some cuts in fishing possibilities are still required for a number of stocks such as cod, plaice, sole, southern hake and Nephrops, there is better news for others, particularly for some of those subject to long-term plans such as northern hake and Bay of Biscay sole. The decisions on Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for the Baltic Sea and deep-sea species were taken at the October and November Councils respectively (IP/06/1147 and IP/06/1278), thus reducing the load for the December Council.

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/06/462 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/462&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=fr

---