EU: Joe Borg: Council agreement on fishing possibilities for 2006

confirms gradual but sustained approach to stocks recovery


Following the adoption of the fishing possibilities for 2006 by the Council of Fisheries Ministers, early this morning, Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, described the agreement as a further step towards ensuring the environmental and economic sustainability of fisheries.

Ministers were discussing the European Commission proposals on catch levels for the Baltic Sea and for the rest of the Union's waters.

With regard to the main proposal, Commissioner Borg said that the agreement reached would provide greater protection for the stocks that needed it most, namely cod and deep-sea fish stocks.

The measures for the Baltic paved the way for the setting up of a multi-annual recovery plan for cod in 2007, he said. The Council also adopted a recovery plan for the sole stock in the Bay of Biscay. This plan aims to reduce the catches of sole until the stock reaches safe biological levels.

A management plan will subsequently be put in place to ensure the continued protection of this stock.

The EU fishing quotas for 2006 will cut cod fishing by 5%, far short of the blanket ban recommended by experts.

Source: Joe Borg: Council agreement on fishing possibilities for 2006...
Author: EU:

Link: EU Ministers Scrutinise Latest Offer on Fish Quotas
Link: EU quotas bring modest fish cuts
Link: EU Strikes Deal on Fish Quotas, Aims to Save Cod
Link: Slovenia Sets up Fishing Zone in Adriatic
Link: WWF Activists Dressed as Fish, Blow Shells during a Protest


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