The European Commission has proposed there should again be no commercial catches of turbot and dogfish in the Black Sea next year and that the catch limits for sprats should remain at its current level of 11,475 metric tons (MT).
Bulgaria and Romania are the EU member states affected by the Commission’s annual proposals for Black Sea fishing opportunities. This advice is based on the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Commission’s Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF).
STECF highlighted that the situation for both turbot and dogfish has been deteriorating progressively in recent years and it is a situation that requires urgent action for both stocks.
It has therefore recommended zero catches for turbot for the fourth consecutive year. In previous years Romania and Bulgaria have proposed to increase the controls on catches of turbot to reduce illegal and unreported fishing. Nevertheless, it is felt the effort made by both countries has not been sufficient enough to address the severity of the situation and status of the stock.
With respect to dogfish, STECF has recommended zero catches for the third consecutive year due to the fact that the stock continues to face drastic depletion.
The Commission has also taken into consideration the fact that the two EU countries account for nearly as much as 50 percent of catches, and also the fact that elasmobranch species (such as sharks, rays and skates) which include dogfish are important for preserving the overall balance of the marine ecosystem. The proposed measure is also consistent with that adopted for dogfish stock in the Atlantic for five consecutive years.
EU ministers will discuss these proposals at the December Fisheries Council.
