The first indications from the scientific advice released by the independent International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) confirm the need for the recovery measures proposed by the European Commission to ensure the rebuilding of a number of endangered fish stocks, the Commission has said.
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ICES advises zero catch for a number of stocks including cod in the North Sea, Skagerrak, Eastern Channel, Irish Sea and West of Scotland, as well as whiting in the Irish Sea. In the case of hake from Ireland down to Portugal, ICES recommends rebuilding plans and zero catch for the southern hake stock. Rebuilding plans are also advised for plaice in the North Sea, cod and plaice in the Celtic Sea and sole in the western Channel and Bay of Biscay.
Some stocks, such as North Sea haddock, mackerel and saithe, are, according to ICES, in a more healthy condition.
The Commission said it will discuss with the fisheries sector at the end of October certain issues, including ways of allowing continued fisheries on stocks that are in a more healthy state but that are caught along with endangered ones. One example is North Sea haddock whose catches include by-catches of cod, which is currently an endangered stock.
“The latest ICES advice vindicates the approach taken by the Commission in proposing tough measures to reverse stock depletion. We will now study this advice with great care,” said Franz Fischler, Commissioner in charge of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries.
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