EU to consider deep-sea fishing reg changes

The European Commission has proposed new catch limits for more than half the deep-sea fishing stocks covered by European regulations, while a major fishing group is ramping up protest against a different proposal to ban bottom trawl and bottom-set gillnets, also in deep-sea fishing.

The commission’s catch limit recommendations will be effective in the EU and international waters in the North-East Atlantic for 2015-2016. They include an increase in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for four stocks, a decrease for nine stocks, and no change for five others compared to 2014.

“It is good news that the scientific advice allows for increases for a number of these stocks, but unfortunately the situation is bleak for most other stocks,” said Maria Damanaki, European commissioner for maritime affairs and fisheries. “We look forward to continued working with the member states to improve the knowledge on these stocks, and to work toward sustainable deep-sea fisheries."

Meanwhile, Europeche President Javier Garat has sent an open letter to U.K. Fisheries Minister George Eustice regarding a different proposal on deep-sea fishing. In July 2012, the commission first proposed a phasing out of bottom trawls and bottom-set gillnets targeting deep sea species for European vessels. The proposal will soon come before the European Council for debate.

In his letter, Garat urged Eustice “to adopt a rational and realistic approach” to the proposal. Garat said Europeche “is fully supportive” of improved deep sea stock management.

“However, a blanket ban on bottom trawling is outside the mainstream of management thinking, completely disproportionate to the objectives laid out in the (common fisheries policy) and would have serious socio- economic consequences for the European fleet,” Garat wrote.

Garat argued the proposal was “not in line” with various data from EU and international assessment groups, and suggested instead following management measures recommended by the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, which he said distinguish between target species and bycatch better than a blanket ban.

“The proposal would create an un-level playing field, putting EU vessels at a competitive disadvantage to non-EU vessels fishing in the same waters,” he wrote. “It would be more appropriate to create a uniform standard of eco-system protection and to establish scientific criteria to determine possible restrictions to the use of bottom trawls in certain vulnerable areas.”

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