Press Release: 2008 fishing possibilities: ‘Further efforts needed to secure the future of European fisheries’

The European Commission has tabled its annual proposal on fishing possibilities and attendant measures for 2008. This proposal takes account of the latest independent scientific advice on the state of fish stocks received in October 2007 from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the Commission’s own Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF), and input from stakeholders. It also applies the approach already outlined in the Commission's Policy Statement which was published in June, and has since been the subject of consultations with stakeholders (see IP/07/773). The Commission views fisheries management as a long-term process, based on the analysis of long-term trends in the health of fish stocks. As this year's policy statement made clear, there is still a long way to go if we are to achieve the aims of the Common Fisheries Policy, namely fisheries which are sustainable for the long-term in economic, social and biological terms. The Commission is therefore proposing further cuts in effort and/or Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in a number of fisheries, while generally respecting the rule that inter-annual variations should be limited to 15% increase or decrease, so as to provide a degree of stability for stakeholders. However, in a number of cases, scientists have warned that the situation is sufficiently urgent that even larger cuts in fishing opportunities are required. The Commission's proposal will be debated by the Council of Fisheries Ministers when they meet on 17-19 December.

• Primary Source

European Commission: MEMO/07/521: European Commission’s proposal on fishing possibilities: why and how? http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/521&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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