After much consideration the European Commission has announced its proposal for new fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2010. It is said that scientific advice revealed that cod stocks are recovering, but that the Western herring stock still gives rise to serious concern. After considering the advice and the infraction on Baltic Sea the Commission proposes increases of fishing opportunities for Baltic cod of 15 percent (Eastern stock) and 9 percent (Western stock).
Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Joe Borg has commented that the positive trend for Baltic Sea cod gives us confidence that the plan we have adopted to rebuild the stocks is working. He added that the commission has paved the way for the comeback of Baltic cod by strictly applying the cod plan; this strict application is essential also in bountiful years along with further measures as might be deemed necessary.
It is informed that the Commission’s proposals reflect the latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), and the opinion of the Commission’s own Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF), together with input from stakeholders, in particular from the Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council.
The Commission is proposing an increase of 15 % in the EU Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for eastern Baltic cod, from 44 580 tonnes to 51 267 tonnes, and an increase of 9 percent in the TAC on western Baltic cod, from 16 337 tonnes to 17 700 tonnes. The Western herring stock has declined further, following a 2009 TAC which was set well above scientific advice.
