Posted on December, 01 2005

The proposal presented by the European Commission for TACs (Total Allowable Catches) and quotas for 2006 is the worst ever, as it does not prevent further collapse of fish stocks within EU waters which are already severely depleted”, said Charlotte Mogensen, Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office.

“The overall reduction in quotas compared to last year is 15 per cent, a rate which does not have any effect for stocks near collapse such as cod in Kattegat and skates and rays in the North Sea.”

The proposal is meant to achieve long term management for EU fisheries, but this is not going to happen unless TACs and fishing effort (days at sea) are reduced drastically now. If we are to achieve sustainable fisheries, drastic measures are first urgently needed to recover depleted stocks. Once this is achieved, long term management measures should be adopted. At present there are only recovery plans adopted for some fish stocks but no long term management for any fish stocks.

Furthermore, the Commission has decided not to propose any quotas for several stocks in critical conditions, leaving it up to EU Fisheries Ministers to decide their fate.

The final TACs and quota will be decided at the EU Fisheries Council, meeting on 19-20 December.

Commission proposal compared to ICES advice and to TACs and quota agreed for 2005

For further information:
Charlotte Mogensen, Fisheries Policy Officer
WWF European Policy Office
Tel: +32 2 743 8807
E-mail: cmogensen@wwfepo.org

Claudia Delpero, Communications Manager
WWF European Policy Office
Tel: +32 2 740 0925,
Mobile: +32 497 406381,
E-mail: cdelpero@wwfepo.org