EU fishery ministers agreed Wednesday to implement a ban on discards — the wasteful practice of dumping unwanted fish overboard — by easing quota limits, much to the anger of environmental groups.
After talks Tuesday ran overnight to some 20 hours, ministers reached a “general approach” on the discard ban adopted in June last year as part of an overhaul of fisheries policy to put it on a more sustainable basis.
The key principle is that all fish caught will be landed, with none discarded, but fisherman will be granted leeway on existing quotas so that they can adjust over time to the new approach.
Under the accord, there will be a 9.0 percent exemption from quotas for the first two years, falling to 8.0 percent in the next two and finally 7.0 percent while some quotas may be transferable.
