Uta Bellion, director of the Pew Environment Group EU Marine Programme. (Photo: PEW/EC)

In search of sustainable seafood mgmt

The European Commission (EC) published its report in which it proposes fixing catch limits and quotas for 2011 based on the scientific advice it receives on the state of fish stocks in Community waters.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki, of the European Union (EU), contends it necessary to reduce EU fishing limits back to sustainable levels next year, taking into account international commitments and recommendations from the authoritative science bodies that advise the EC.

In addition, she aims to pursue a tougher method for setting quotas and days at sea.

"I want to be clear that the quota levels set must respect all the European Union's commitments to sustainability, our commitments to nearby States, and the commitments we have made under the long-term plans,"Damanaki maintained.

In 2002, all the EU Member States agreed that fish stocks should be exploited so as to deliver the highest possible sustainable catches by no later than 2015.

Progress has been made since then. Proof lies in the fact that 11 stocks met the target in 2009 compared with only two in 2002.

Most stocks remain overfished, however.

The EC proposals will take into into consideration:

• environmental sustainability;
• the stability of the quotas;
• the application of long-term plans;
• the fulfilment of international commitments;
• reductions in overfishing;
• recovery of populations;
• the use of internationally upheld scientific recommendations;
• the adoption of a more cautious stance.

In addition, the Commission relies on scientific advice from two internationally renowned committees when proposing fish quotas: the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries.

Their advice will be released in June or July.

In the report, the Commission also points out that anchovy and southern hake are over safe biological limits.

It further adds that the Southern Hake Management Plan “has not offered control over quotas nor reduced its mortality.”

According to the EC, 60 per cent of the resources of the Mediterranean Sea are outside biological limits.

Uta Bellion, director of the Pew Environment Group's EU Marine Programme, commended the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner for insisting that scientific advice be followed when fixing TACs. However, she expressed regret that the EC’s communication falls short of the EU commitment to the United Nations to manage deep-sea fisheries sustainably.

"The Common Fisheries Policy’s first guiding principle is that fishing opportunities must be set at sustainable levels to maintain healthy stocks. While the Commission adhered to this standard when it advised closure of the porbeagle fishery last year, the overall trend has been to acquiesce to short-term interest and set TACs at levels that contribute to overfishing.

"For deep-sea fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic, the scientific advice is that all species, including endangered species of deep-sea sharks, are outside safe biological limits. This must be the basis for the setting of TACs and quotas. To propose anything less represents a serious failure on the part of the Commission to follow through on the EU’s commitment," she concluded.

Related article:

- Ministers define priorities to reform fisheries policy

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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