Press Release: Commission proposes 2009/2010 fishing opportunities for deep sea fisheries

On 01 October, 2008, the European Commission adopted a proposal for deep-sea fishing opportunities for 2009 and 2010. The proposal reflected both commitments made by Member States in 2006 to progressively reduce catch levels on certain stocks to zero over four years, and the recent scientific advice confirming the poor biological condition of many deep sea stocks,. In addition, the Commission sought to bring Total Allowable Catches (TAC) more closely in line with actual fishing effort for those stocks where catches are small or close to zero. The Commission is committed to a precautionary approach in managing fragile deep sea stocks.