A provisional mackerel quota of 2427 tonnes for the French fleet up to June next year goes only part-way towards mitigating the predicted disastrous reduction, according to the Brittany Committee for Fisheries.
Despite the complex political climate, France was able to build on a united front with Spain and Italy on some aspects of the 2026 TACs – while also banding together with Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany to block – for the first time – the implementation of the Hague Preferences that would in particular have given Ireland a larger share of cod and mackerel quotas.
While there was a moderate increase in the allocation for sea bass and a significant increase in langoustine, the fleet is facing drastic cuts in Celtic Sea cod (down 70%), haddock (down 68%) and whiting (down 51%), while the proposed cut in pollack was softened to just a 13% reduction.
‘While the industry’s arguments were heard to an extent, the method for setting fishing quotas, which is currently unsustainable for the visibility and viability of our businesses, certainly still needs to be reformed,’ commented Sébastien Le Prince, speaking for the Brittany Fisheries Committee, commenting that mechanisms must be examined to safeguard the economic balance and stability of struggling businesses.
