Fisheries: Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2013 in the Atlantic and North Sea

European Commission
Press release
Brussels, 24 October 2012

The European Commission has proposed fishing opportunities for 2013 for certain fish stocks in the Atlantic and the North Sea. Today's proposal sets levels of total allowable catch (TAC) and fishing effort for stocks managed exclusively by the EU. In line with scientific advice, the Commission proposes to increase or maintain the TACs for 16 stocks (including certain stocks of cod, Norway lobster, and sole), and reduce them for 47 stocks.

The Commission's ultimate goal and one of the pillars of the on-going Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform is to have all stocks fished at sustainable levels, the so-called Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), by 2015. Whenever possible, scientists advise on how to bring the stocks to MSY levels. This year, the so-called "MSY advice" could be issued for 20 stocks (compared to 12 last year). This is a marked improvement as far as the availability and quality of scientific data are concerned...

Source: Fisheries: Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2013 in the Atlantic and North Sea
Author: EU