De Commissie doet voorstel voor mogelijkheiden diepzeevisserij 2009/2010 (en)

IP/08/1441

Brussels, 1 October 2008.

Commission proposes 2009/2010 fishing opportunities for deep sea fisheries Today the European Commission adopted a proposal for deep-sea fishing opportunities for 2009 and 2010. The proposal reflects both commitments made by Member States in 2006 to progressively reduce catch levels on certain stocks to zero over four years, and the recent scientific advice confirming the poor biological condition of many deep sea stocks,. In addition, the Commission has sought to bring Total Allowable Catches (TAC) more closely in line with actual fishing effort for those stocks where catches are small or close to zero. The Commission is committed to a precautionary approach in managing fragile deep sea stocks.

Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Joe Borg commented, "The Commission is determined that the EU should keep its commitments. We began reducing catch levels on some of the more vulnerable stocks in 2006, with a view to reaching zero catch in four years. This gradual phase out has given the industry time to adjust and refocus. The precautionary approach is paramount in these fisheries since deep sea species live long, and reproduce only very late in their lives. Wherever we are uncertain, we need to ensure that fisheries are not expanded beyond current levels until we have better knowledge of real biological conditions. This includes reducing TACs where they are well above the official catch levels of recent years."

The Commission set out the principles it would use in proposing TACs for deep sea species in its annual policy statement published in May. For stocks such as Roundnose grenadier, and most red seabream and black scabbardfish stocks the proposal establishes a specific catch level representing a reduction of 15% in both 2009 and 2010. In the case of deep sea sharks and orange roughy the EU is committed to achieving zero catch levels over four years, and the final two years' reductions are proposed accordingly. In certain other cases, substantial one-off cuts in TACs are proposed, in order to bring catch limits more closely into line with real catch levels in the fishery in recent years.

The Commission's proposals are based on advice provided by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), which is then subject to review by the Commission's own Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF). Initial ideas are then discussed with the Regional Advisory Councils concerned by these fisheries, so that stakeholders can offer input to the process at an early stage. It is anticipated that Council will reach political agreement on deep sea catch limits at the meeting of fisheries ministers scheduled for late November.

Annexes:

• - 

  comparative table of proposed TACs
• - 

  table of stock categories from policy statement on fishing opportunities for 2009

Deep Sea TACs and Commission proposals for 2009

Species ICES fishing zones TAC 2008 in tonnes Commission proposal for 2009 TAC in tonnes Commission proposal for 2010 TAC in tonnes Difference between 2008 and 2009 TACs in tonnes % change from 2008 TAC Difference between 2009 and 2010 TACs in tonnes % change from 2009 TAC Policy statement category

Deep sea sharks V, VI, VII, VIII, IX 1646 824 0 -824 -50 -824 -100 10

Deep sea sharks X 20 10 0 -10 -50 -10 -100 10

Deep Sea Sharks and Deania histricosa and Deania profondorum XII 49 25 0 -24 -50 -25 -100 10

Black scabbardfish I, II, III, IV 15 13 13 -2 -15 0 0 6

Black scabbardfish V, VI, VII, XII 3042 2586 2198 -456 -15 -388 -15 6

Black scabbardfish VIII, IX, X 4000 3400 2890 -600 -15 -510 -15 6

Black scabbardfish CECAF 34.1.2. 4285 3642 3642 -643 -15 0 0 11

Alfonsinos I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII, XIV 328 328 328 0 0 0 0 6

Roundnose grenadier I, II, IV, Va 20 17 17 -3 -15 0 0 6

Roundnose grenadier III 1000 850 850 -150 -15 0 0 6

Roundnose grenadier Vb, VI, VII 4600 3910 3910 -690 -15 0 0 6

Roundnose grenadier VIII, IX, X, XII, XIV 6114 5197 5197 -917 -15 0 0 6

Orange roughy VI 34 17 0 -17 -50 -17 -100 10

Orange roughy VII 130 65 0 -65 -50 -65 -100 10

Orange roughy I, II, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIV 30 15 0 -15 -50 -15 -100 10

Blue ling II, IV,V 78 66 56 -12 -15 -10 -15 7

Blue ling III 15 13 11 -2 -15 -2 -15 7

Red seabream VI, VII, VIII 298 253 215 -45 -15 -38 -15 7

Red seabream IX 1080 918 780 -162 -15 -138 -15 6

Red seabream X 1136 1022 1022 -114 -8 0 0 6

Forkbeards I, II, III, IV 36 31 31 -5 -15 0 0 11

Forkbeards V, VI, VII 2028 2028 2028 0 0 0 0 11

Forkbeards VIII, IX 267 267 267 0 0 0 0 11

Forkbeards X, XII 63 54 54 -9 -15 0 0 11

Rules for TACs – summary table (from Commission Policy Statement on Fishing Opportunities for 2009, Annex II)

Category Scientific advice Action to take in setting TAC

1 Stock exploited at the maximum sustainable yield rate. Aim to set the TAC to the forecast catch corresponding to the fishing mortality that will deliver the highest yield in the long term, but do not change the TAC by more than 25%.

2 Stock overexploited compared to maximum sustainable yield but inside safe biological limits. Aim to set the TAC to the higher value of (a) to the forecast catch corresponding to taking the highest yield in the long term11, or (b) fishing at an unchanged mortality rate, but do not change the TAC by more than 15%.

3 Stock outside safe biological limits Aim to set the TAC to the forecast catch that will result in a 30% reduction in fishing mortality rate, but do not decrease the fishing mortality so far as to prejudice long-term yields and do not reduce the TAC by more than 20%.

4 Stock is subject to long-term plan and

scientists advise on the catch that corresponds to the plan. The TAC must be set by following the relevant plan.

5 Stock is short-lived and a one-year forecast cannot be provided. A provisional TAC is set and will be changed when new information is available during the year.

6 State of the stock not known precisely and

STECF advises on an appropriate catch level. Aim to set the TAC according to STECF advice but do not change the TAC by more than 15%.

7 State of the stock not known precisely and

STECF advises to reduce fishing effort. The TAC should be reduced by up to 15% and STECF should be asked to advise on the appropriate level of effort.

8 State of the stock not known precisely and

STECF advises the stock is increasing. The TAC should be increased by up to 15%.

9 State of the stock not known precisely and

STECF advises the stock is decreasing. The TAC should be decreased by up to 15%.

10 STECF advises a zero catch, a reduction to the lowest possible level or similar advice. The TAC should be reduced by at least 25%.Recovery measures should be implemented including effort reductions and introduction of more selective fishing gear.

11 There is no STECF advice. TACs should be adjusted towards recent real catch levels but should not be changed by more than 15% per year or Member States should develop an implementation plan to provide advice within a short time.