European Commission
Press release
Brussels, 9 October 2012
Little increase in deep-sea fishing opportunities 2013-2014
The European Commission proposed today fishing opportunities for the deep-sea fish stocks in EU and international waters of the North-East Atlantic for 2013-2014. In line with the scientific advice, the Commission proposes to increase total allowable catches (TACs) for 3 stocks, a decrease for 13 stocks, and maintain TACs at the current level for 8 stocks (including zero TACs for 6 stocks), compared to 2012.
For 2013 the Commission proposes to increase by 77% the TAC for roundnose grenadiers west of the British Isles (to 4,500 tonnes). Fishing at these levels should permit to bring this stock to sustainable levels by 2015 (so called maximum sustainable yield (MSY)). The Commission also proposes to increase by 20% and 5% the TACs for two black scabbard fish stocks in western waters (West of Scotland/Ireland). Also for these stocks the scientific advice indicates how to achieve MSY in 2015. TACs for the remaining stocks of black scabbard fish and roundnose grenadier are proposed to be cut or maintained unchanged. Taking the precautionary approach, the Commission proposes to cut by 20% the red seabream and blue ling TACs, as the conservation status of these stocks is not fully assessed.
European Commissioner Maria Damanaki, in charge of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: "to preserve the deep-sea fishery, we need to follow the scientific advice, and not overexploit these vulnerable species. Still, three of the stocks seem to be on the path towards recovery and MSY levels. We have a clear management objective: a long-term sustainable use of these stocks."
With only two exceptions, available data on the deep-sea stocks are insufficient to allow scientists to fully assess the stock status, neither in terms of number of fish nor fishing mortality. Nevertheless, the scientific advice has improved, notably on the stocks that offer the largest fishing opportunities.
Background
Fishing for deep-sea species is regulated by the European Union since 2003 in terms of total allowable catches (TACs) per species and area, and in terms of maximum fishing effort deployable in the North-East Atlantic.
Deep-sea fish are caught in waters beyond the main fishing grounds of continental shelves. They are distributed on the continental slopes or associated with seamounts. Most of these species are slow-growing and long-lived, which makes them particularly vulnerable to fishing.
Deep sea fisheries account for about 1% of fish landed from the North-East Atlantic, but some local fishing communities depend to a certain extent on deep-sea fisheries. The catches – and related jobs - have been declining for years, due to depleted stocks.
The Commission's proposals are based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES).
The Commission recently proposed a new management system for deep-sea fisheries in order to ensure better protection of deep-sea stocks and their habitats (see IP/12/813)
More information
Table in annex: overview of the Commission's proposal for 2013 and 2014
Map of fishing areas: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/publications/cfp_factsheets/fishing_areas_en.pdf
Contacts : Oliver Drewes (+32 2 299 24 21) Lone Mikkelsen (+32 2 296 05 67) |
Overview of TAC changes 2012-2014 (Figures in tonnes; changes in % compared to the year before)
Species | Area | TAC in 2012 | TAC Proposal 2013 | TAC change: 2012-2013 Proposal (%) | TAC Proposal 2014 | TAC change: 2013-2014 Proposal (%) |
Deep-Sea sharks | EU + international waters of V, VI, VII, VIII and IX | 0 | pm1 | 0% | Pm1 | - |
Deep-Sea sharks | EU + international waters of X | 0 | pm1 | 0% | pm1 | - |
Deep-sea sharks + Deania hystricosa + Deania profundorum | International waters of XII | 0 | pm1 | 0% | pm1 | - |
Black scabbardfish | EU + international waters of I, II, III and IV | 9 | 9 | 0% | 9 | 0% |
Black scabbardfish | EU + international waters of V, VI, VII and XII | 2179 | 2.615 | 20% | 3138 | 20% |
Black scabbardfish | EU +international waters of VIII, IX and X | 3348 | 3.515 | 5% | 3691 | 5% |
Black scabbardfish | EU + international waters of CECAF 34.1.2. | 3867 | 3.094 | -20% | 2475 | -20% |
Alfonsinos | EU + international waters of III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV | 328 | 305 | -7% | 280 | -8% |
Roundnose grenadier | EU + international waters of I, II and IV | 13 | 13 | 0% | 13 | 0% |
Roundnose grenadier | EU + international waters of III | 850 | 680 | -20% | 544 | -20% |
Roundnose grenadier | EU + international waters of Vb, VI, VII | 2546 | 4.500 | 77% | 4500 | 0% |
Roundnose grenadier | EU + international waters of VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV | 3979 | 3.350 | -16% | 2850 | -15% |
Orange roughy | EU + international waters of VI | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Orange roughy | EU + international waters of VII | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Orange roughy | EU + international waters of I, II, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Blue ling | EU + international waters of II and IV | 56 | 45 | -20% | 36 | -20% |
Blue ling | EU + international waters of III | 8 | 6 | -20% | 5 | -20% |
Red seabream | EU + international waters of VI, VII and VIII | 215 | 172 | -20% | 138 | -20% |
Red seabream | EU + international waters of IX | 780 | 624 | -20% | 500 | -20% |
Red seabream | EU + international waters of X | 1136 | 909 | -20% | 727 | -20% |
Greater Forkbeard | EU + international waters of I, II, III and IV | 31 | 25 | -20% | 20 | -20% |
Greater Forkbeard | EU + international waters of V, VI and VII | 2028 | 1.622 | -20% | 1298 | -20% |
Greater Forkbeard | EU + international waters of VIII and IX | 267 | 214 | -20% | 171 | -20% |
Greater Forkbeard | EU + international waters of X and XII | 54 | 43 | -20% | 35 | -20% |
Pm = TAC to be proposed later, once the scientific advice is available
