The recovery of the dwindling cod stocks in the North Sea is a major conservation issue for many nations involved in the regional fishing trade. The EU recently confirmed its proposal for sustainable fishing in the North Sea for 2009. The bloc is meeting with Norway this week to come to a mutual agreement, as Norway and the EU jointly police fishing in the North Sea.
The European Union proposal includes a possible increase in cod quotas in return for not fishing certain areas during spawning season, being able to land more fish instead of discarding them as by-catch and using wider mesh nets to allow smaller cod to escape.
Scottish fishermen hope for a substantial increase in their cod allowance for 2009, but the above measures aim to reduce overall cod mortality by 25 percent and further 10 percent annual drops thereafter.
“Every year thousands of tonnes of North Sea cod is needlessly thrown overboard, making a mockery of the whole quota system,” said Aaron McLoughlin, head of WWF’s European Marine Programme, speaking to Panda News Group. “As Norway is pushing for the EU to implement tougher discard measures, we hope that this delay in issuing recommendations means that the Commission is seeking a solution to the issue of discards.”
The WWF did welcome new proposals to reduce the quotas for shrimp and sole in the North Sea. Whatever final decision is made on the cod stocks, it will happen at the EU Fisheries Council meeting on 17-19 December in Brussels.
No it’s different. Norway doesn’t want this particular bunch of bleak islands back.
john said: ps. “Shetland is after all – still belonging to Norway !”
Like the Falklands still belong to Argentina?
Iceland must NOT join the EU, we in Shetland have watched helplessly as other fleets have destroyed our fishing – none worse than British boats ( ps. Shetland is after all – still belonging to Norway !) No fishery limits here – large trawlers fish right up to the shore. Do not allow this to happen in Iceland there will be no fish left to sustain future generations of young fishermen.
# Terry….. Dam you…..
Sorry for the miss spelling …
obviously i meant FOUGHT not thought.
I must say although WE disagree on almost everything.
I am becoming fond of your sharp wit…
CHEERS FISHY..
p.s
Offer of fish supper still stands…….
‘Icelanders thought long and hard for decades to get our 200 mile fishing limits’
The power of thought!
# JO
Icelanders thought long and hard for decades to get our 200 mile fishing limits .
And OUR fish quotas are managed well.
In the first part of my previous post ….
I said …
The EU has managed its Common Fisheries Policy VERY BADLY.
Maybe others and yourself could debate on this?
And “Share” means “having every scrap of fish extreminated by the Spanish. As usual.
fishy said: ”If it is possible to keep our own Icelandic Fisheries Policy and enter the EU”
Like,Have your cake and eat it.?
Not a chance in hell.In the EU you will find that you have to (dirty word coming up ) share !
“Fishy” had to comment this one!
[…] full story >>> var addthis_pub = “worldenglishnews”; […]
The EU as really managed its Common Fisheries Policy very badly and this is why many of us in Iceland are dubious about entering the EU.
If it is possible to keep our own Icelandic Fisheries Policy and enter the EU, I think this is a better option.
Maybe the 60% of people in Iceland who want to enter the EU maybe think fisheries doesnt concern them or are just crying for desperate help and willing to sell their souls …meaning our fish stocks…