EU proposes cod quota hike in the Baltic
The European Commission proposed new fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea that will require fishermen to cut their catches next year for certain species, while cod in the eastern Baltic may see a 15 percent quota rise.
The proposal follows scientific advice that most stocks in the Baltic Sea should be subject to reduced catches in 2009 and these include Western cod and herring stock, both of which are subject to depletion.
Meanwhile, tough restrictions in cod quotas in recent years in the eastern Baltic have revived the species from the verge of collapse bringing the numbers high enough for a 15 percent quota rise.
This move should help cool tensions between Brussels and Warsaw, which have been in a bitter battle over cod quotas with Polish fisherman and authorities protesting EU figures.
"When the recovery plan for Baltic cod was put in place last year, scientists were warning that the Eastern cod stock was on the verge of collapse. By applying that plan, we have been able to turn this situation around, and that stock is beginning to grow again," said Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Joe Borg.
A spokesperson for the EU fisheries commissioner denied the fact that the commission is proposing raising 2009 cod quota as a result that Poland was right that stocks were not ad depleted as originally thought.
Given the improvement in numbers, the EC recommended to increase cod quotas by 15 percent to 44,580 tonnes from 38,765 tonnes in 2008 in the eastern Baltic where Polish, Baltic and Finnish fisherman are most active.
However, the EC also proposed to cut quotas by 15 percent to 16,337 from 19,221 tonnes in the smaller western Baltic fishery affecting mostly Denmark and Sweden.
"I therefore call on ministers to show the same discipline and long-term vision when it comes to the other fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, and confirm our commitment to sustainable fisheries not just for one particular stock, but across the board," said Borg.
Sources: Reuters, Europa
