EU Defies Scientific Consensus, Will Cut But Not Close Baltic Cod Fishery

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BRUSSELS - The European Commission opted to propose a 15 percent cut in fishing quotas for cod in the eastern Baltic, defying scientific advice to close the industry to protect stocks after years of overfishing.

The EU executive said on Tuesday that to ban fishing would undermine the economic basis of the industry and should be avoided if at all possible, especially given the large number of young cod it expected to boost numbers this year. Certain types of vessels would also face a small increase in days when they would not be allowed to fish for cod in the eastern Baltic in 2006, the Commission said in a statement.

The proposal contrasts with the Commission's traditional approach of cutting national catch quotas every year. Now, it prefers a longer-term strategy that gradual reduces numbers of fish taken from the sea as a proportion of available stock, more periods of closure, and limits on variations in annual catches.

"This proposal confirms our commitment to the application of a gradual approach which aims to help rebuild cod stocks and protect those stocks which are in a healthier state while, at the same time, keeping economic pressure on the sector as low as possible," EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg said.


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http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/37972/story.htm