2010 December Council Outcome Statement

 17 December 2010

Our Ref: PDT/121710/dc

Dear Member

DECEMBER 2010 FISHERIES COUNCIL

 

The December Fisheries Council finished in the early hours of Wednesday 15 December in Brussels, when the TACs and quotas for 2011 were finally agreed. The negotiations took place against the usual background of extreme proposals from the Commission for big reductions in a number key TACs and quotas for the CFPO.

 

Days at Sea:

 

The Commission once again tabled a proposal for an effort control regime to be extended into the Celtic Sea (VIIfg). This was fought off strongly by the UK, Ireland and France during the negotiations and must be acknowledged as a significant achievement. 

 

The Trevose Closure remains in place for 2011 from 1 February to 31 March.

 

Sole Recovery Zone (VIIe) effort levels remain unchanged for 2011.  

 

TACs:

 

A list of TAC and quota changes is attached for information. This should be regarded as provisional until post Council clarifications have been received and as the final text emerges from the Commission.

 

The UK minister and his team were fully briefed and made acutely aware of our key priorities ahead of the negotiations and we kept up the pressure throughout the Council.

 

One of the most disappointing outcomes was on Spurdog, Porbeagle and Skate which remain under zero TAC. Despite all the rhetoric from the Commission about the importance reducing discards, these stocks were not up for negotiation. This amounts to a counterproductive, irrational, not to say schizophrenic approach from Commission.

 

The UK Minister and negotiating team were made fully aware of all the arguments and implications of such an outcome on these stocks but whilst he acknowledged and agreed with these he was unable to deliver due to the Commission’s immovable position. We all know this will deliver nothing expect increase discards and do nothing for conservation.

 

 

The December negotiations are always difficult with an ever growing political and green influence. However the CFPO and the NFFO team in Brussels deployed every scientific, economic and political argument at our disposal.

 

Where successful, this has been at least in part due to the work done by the NFFO, CFPO and its members through Fisheries Science Partnerships and the improved working relationship with scientists and policy makers.

 

At the beginning of these negotiations we made it clear the outcome would be judged as a package from our perspective and clearly the outcome overall did not deliver all of our priorities and in some areas was disappointing.

 

The CFPO has already begun talks with DEFRA and other member states to secure additional quota through international and domestic swaps and transfers in an effort to maximise fishing opportunities for 2011.

 

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

 

 

Paul Trebilcock

Chief Executive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROVISIONAL 2011 TAC CHANGES

 

Stock                         Commission Proposal                  Final Outcome

 

Cod VIIe-k                              -15%                                       Status quo

Haddock VIIb-k                      Status quo                              Status quo

Whiting VIIb-k                        Status quo                              10%

 

Hake                                       Status quo                              Status quo

Monk                                       -15%                                       Status quo

Megrim                                   -15%                                       Status quo

 

Sole hjk                                  -15%                                       -15%

Plaice hjk                               -15%                                       -15%

 

Sole e                                     15%                                        15%

Plaice de                                split TAC VIIe             Single TAC for 2011

                                                and VIId                                  TAC level to be confirmed

 

Sole fg                                    25%                                        25%

Plaice fg                                 -9%                                         -16%

 

Sole d                                     -1%                                         15%

 

Pollack                                   -15%                                       -2%

Saithe                                     -15%                                       -2%

Ling                                         Status quo                              Status quo

 

Skates & Rays VI & VII         -15%                                       -15%

(No Landings of Undulate Ray or Skate)

 

 

Spurdog                                 Zero TAC                               Zero TAC

Porbeagle                              Zero TAC                               Zero TAC

 

 

 

 

 

Note: These figures are subject to amendment following post Council clarifications.