| EU sets quotas for cod fishing to prevent extinction |
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BRUSSELS: Fisheries ministers of EU countries agreed Thursday on the maximum catch for 2006 and the number of days fishing trawlers can be sent to the sea, in a bid to prevent a possible extinction of species like cod following years of overfishing.
In fact, scientists and environmentalists have been seeking a total ban of cod fishing in the North Sea and western Scottish waters. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, a scientific body coordinating and promoting marine research in the north Atlantic, had recommended a ban on cod fishing in the North Sea for the past four years. The ministers, however, agreed to reduce the quantum by an average 15 per cent and to cut the days that cod-fishing vessels sail to the sea.
The measure may prove sensitive to Britain, as much of its fishing fleets going out of Scotland would be forced to remain ashore for weeks.
The European Commission, which administers the EU's fishing policy, painted an alarming picture on cod stocks, especially in the North and Irish Seas, waters off western Scotland and between Denmark and Sweden.
EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg said the agreement will provide greater protection for the species most threatened.
Borg allowed concessions in his original plan by offering marginal increases in catch allowances for various species in order to placate countries like France and Spain, which were reluctant to agree to the quota.
The agreement increases prawn quotas for the North Sea and Bay of Biscay by up to 30 per cent from 2005. Fishing of haddock and monkfish too will be governed by the limitation, in order to prevent fishermen from picking up cod by accident.
EU said cod is so scarce in the Bay of Biscay area and anchovy fishing will now be closed until March to give younger fish a chance to grow and better opportunities for the species' spawning season.
As France and Spain put pressure to increase the quota, Borg agreed to a small addition -- 5,000 tonnes -- with a clear provision that if the stocks have not shown increase, the closure will be extended.
The ministers agreed to a 10 per cent cut in the total number of days spent by trawlers at sea hunting for Europe's deepwater fish, which is another threatened species, becoming an alternative to cod and hake. These breeds of fish are known to reproduce far more slowly than fish in shallower waters.
As far as Britain is concerned, while there has been an overall cut, the EU's proposal for a 41 per cent cut in the haddock quota was reduced to 13 per cent. The U.K.'s fleet would lose only five days at sea at most instead of the proposed nine.
Fisheries minister Ben Bradshaw said the agreement will help conserve fish stocks, preserve the marine environment and help the long-term future of the fishing industry. "Nobody has got all they wanted but we are extremely grateful for the spirit of cooperation which all member states have shown."
Mike Park, chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association, said the agreement may mean a reduction in the income of some sections of the fleet, but it is a balanced package.
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said that the 13 per cent reduction in the haddock quota was a blow.
Posted
on : Sat, 24 Dec 2005 02:05 GMT | General News
By : Chris Rowe
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