| 01/12/2005
- The proposal presented by the European Commission for
TACs (Total Allowable Catches) and quotas for 2006 is the
worst ever, as it does not prevent further collapse of fish
stocks within EU waters which are already severely depleted”,
said Charlotte Mogensen, Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF
European Policy Office. “The
overall reduction in quotas compared to last year is 15
per cent, a rate which does not have any effect for stocks
near collapse such as cod in Kattegat and skates and rays
in the North Sea.”
The proposal is meant to achieve long
term management for EU fisheries, but this is not going
to happen unless TACs and fishing effort (days at sea)
are reduced drastically now. If we are to achieve sustainable
fisheries, drastic measures are first urgently needed
to recover depleted stocks. Once this is achieved, long
term management measures should be adopted. At present
there are only recovery plans adopted for some fish stocks
but no long term management for any fish stocks.
Furthermore, the Commission has decided
not to propose any quotas for several stocks in critical
conditions, leaving it up to EU Fisheries Ministers to
decide their fate.
The final TACs and quota will be decided
at the EU Fisheries Council, meeting on 19-20 December.
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