Fisheries Resources general director Isabel Artime. (Photo: MAPAMA/NAFO/FIS)

NAFO meeting ends with positive results for Spain

The 40th annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), which took place from September 17 to 21 in Tallinn (Estonia), ended with very positive results for Spain.

Fisheries Resources general director Isabel Artime was present at the meeting and headed an important Spanish delegation composed of Administration, scientists and industry.

With regard to the fishing opportunities for 2019, for the Greenland halibut, the main catch of the Spanish fleet in this fishing ground, its quotas are maintained with a slight increase (about 5 tonnes more for the quota of Spain).

Photo: NAFO

Regarding cod fishing, it increases by more than 50 per cent, increasing the possibilities of this species in the 3M division by 6,355 tonnes, to 17,500 tonnes. The quota for Spain will be 2,500 tonnes, which is 900 tonnes more than in 2018.

For that fishery, the NAFO Scientific Council indicated that a larger catch could be allowed in 2019. However, in a liability performance, the European industry requested a lower quota in use of the precautionary principle, with the aim of protecting the juvenile stocks, which contributed to the decision finally adopted.

On the other hand, the fishing opportunities for the throny skate, white hake and redfish stocks in the divisions 3M and 3O do not vary.

Photo: NAFO

In relation to the stocks in which Spain has no quota, the quota of yellowtail flounder is maintained, a stock for which the Spanish fleet can retain an accessory catch on board. At the meeting it was clarified that the maximum allowed percentage of these catches with respect to the rest of catches (10 per cent) will not be diminished if the quota for the category "Others" has been totally consumed, as it happened in the past.

The stocks that were in moratorium do not experience modifications in their status. In the other stocks in which Spain does not participate, the fishing opportunities for redfish in the 3LN divisions are increased and those for the 3NO divisions decrease. Also, at the proposal of the EU and the United States, NAFO has banned in its area of ​​regulation practice the fishing of boreal sharks, the longest species that exists, which can reach to live 500 years but with a very low fertility index, which makes it highly vulnerable.

Photo: NAFO

Regarding the ecosystem approach, at the proposal of the EU and Canada, the Scientific Council was asked to study the impact of human activities other than fishing, both on fish stocks and on biodiversity. These human activities will include both recreational and industrial activities, such as frequent oil and gas exploration in the area.

On this ecosystem approach, NAFO is carrying out important work, presented during this annual meeting, with a view to a future joint management of the fisheries within the ecosystem.

Finally, it was decided to reopen the activity in the old closed zone number 14. This decision supposes a very positive precedent in the mechanisms of revision of the closures of this organization, adapting them to the evolution of the ecosystems.

Over 10 offshore vessels operate in this organization fishing for Greenland halibut and cod with base ports in Galicia, essentially. This activity has been developing for more than 300 years in waters of Newfoundland, so it is a fishing ground of great tradition and relevance for the fleet.

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