A week in fishing....

[JimH]

The new European commissioner for the environment, Karmenu Vella, said after the new common fisheries policy was concluded: “We have succeeded in increasing the number of stocks that are now managed at sustainable levels. I can therefore say that sustainably managed stocks are now a broadly accepted concept across the EU. This will allow fishermen to progressively reap more and more benefits in terms of higher catches for these stocks. This is because science-based decision-making is increasingly becoming the norm.”

But he admitted that many of the decisions on quotas were contrary to scientific advice. “We have worked with [ministers] to ensure that where we do not follow science, member states take the necessary decisions to avoid a real disaster happening later.”

Source- Daily Telegraph

Andrew Clayton, of the Pew Charitable Trusts, which advocates a sustainable fisheries policy, said: “After decades of failing to get to grips with overfishing, the new common fisheries policy was supposed to bind ministers to setting sustainable fishing limits this year. Instead, they have set a considerable number of [quotas] in excess of the level scientists advised; failing to meet the targets they set themselves for overfishing. These are weak decisions, jeopardising the livelihoods of fishermen and the sustainability of stocks.”

Source- The times

Simon Coveney - Quotas outcome is good for fishing income and responsible in terms of sustainability. Thanks u to my team - they did a great job!
Source – Twitter

We call on EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella to push the EU for tough emergency measures. If he is unable to influence the decision then UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice can act unilaterally to ensure that our bass management is appropriate and can deliver the long-term benefits that a healthy bass stock structure would lead to.

Source – NEF http://www.neweconomics.org/blog/entry/ ... k-the-bass

De Raad van EU-ministers heeft gisteren in Brussel besluiten genomen over TAC's en quota voor 2015. Het commissievoorstel voor de TAC's en quotaverordening 2015 bevatte tevens visserijbeperkende maatregelen voor beroepsmatige en recreatieve visserij op zeebaars.

Source – Sportvissers

http://www.sportvisserijnederland.nl/sp ... Wc.twitter

A new report published by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) says that reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) could pave the way for legal action by campaign groups if scientific advice on fish stocks is ignored.

Source - http://info.uwe.ac.uk/news/uwenews/news.aspx?id=2707

Savour that mouthful of wild sea bass if you ever get one. Cherish the memories of its texture and delicious flavour, particularly if you are one of the 2m sea anglers who like to wade in surf, or stand in a boat to catch this armour-plated, hard-fighting fish. Remember what you once had, which was so much tastier and firmer-fleshed than watery fillets of the farmed variety from the Mediterranean that are now staple fare in British restaurants.

Source – The Sunday Times - http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/com ... 498263.ece