Brussels proposes fishing quota cuts

BRUSSELS – The European Commission yesterday proposed a 25-per cent cut in cod fishing quotas for most of the EU’s waters, warning that with cod and other fish ‘most stocks remain overfished’.

In its proposals for 2008 fisheries, the EU executive arm proposed to cut the overall quotas for most species, including a 15-per cent cut of North Sea sole, a 41-per cent cut in North Sea herring and a continued closure of all anchovy fishing in the Bay of Biscay. The cod cuts were offset by an increase in the quota for North Sea cod by 11 per cent, a measure already agreed with Norway.European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg said that while the overall situation remains “broadly stable …most stocks remain overfished.”To enter into force in January 2008, the Commission’s proposals must be adopted by the fisheries ministers of the 27 EU member states when they meet on December 17-19.Nampa-AFPThe cod cuts were offset by an increase in the quota for North Sea cod by 11 per cent, a measure already agreed with Norway.European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg said that while the overall situation remains “broadly stable …most stocks remain overfished.”To enter into force in January 2008, the Commission’s proposals must be adopted by the fisheries ministers of the 27 EU member states when they meet on December 17-19.Nampa-AFP