Press Release: Fishing quotas: Commission wants better protection for fish stocks to avoid closing fisheries in 2004

The European Commission put forward proposals on 4 December 2003 which would avoid the complete closure of some fisheries by (i) consolidating the measures currently in place for certain cod stocks (ii) extending them to other endangered stocks and (iii) proposing a substantial reduction in fishing possibilities for stocks newly identified as being in danger. These measures would ensure continuity of economic activity in the fisheries concerned while giving depleted stocks a reasonable chance of recovery and protecting those in better condition. Until long-term recovery plans are in place, stricter short-term measures involving low total allowable catches (TACs), direct limitations of fishing (days vessels can spend at sea) and control measures to ensure that quotas are not exceeded must be applied. The Commission will table new control measures during the coming months. For stocks for which the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommends a zero catch, the Commission proposes substantial reductions in TACs and fishing effort ranging from 50 to 65%. These include a 50% cut for southern hake and western Channel sole. For those, such as North Sea cod, for which TACs have already been significantly reduced, the Commission proposes a roll-over of the 2003 quota.

http://www.ices.dk/ http://www.ices.dk/

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