Press Release: EU and North-Atlantic coastal states agree on 2008 fishing possibilities on 3 major shared stocks

Several agreements have been concluded between the European Commission, on behalf of the EU, and the other coastal states concerned regarding 2008 fishing opportunities on three important shared fish stocks in the North-East Atlantic. The agreements relate to a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 1,250,000 tonnes (a reduction of 32% from 2007) for blue whiting, 1,266,000 tonnes (virtually unchanged) for Atlanto-Scandian herring, and 456,000 tonnes (a reduction of 9%) for mackerel. In each case, these totals will be shared out among the Parties concerned according to an agreed allocation key.