Oceana is urging EU Fisheries Council Ministers to put aside short term interests in tomorrow’s meeting to establish 2012 catch limits for the main species targeted by Europe’s Atlantic fleet.
Oceana says science-based Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are indispensable to stopping the overexploitation of the seas.
“Yet year after year, despite their commitment to manage stocks at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) by 2015, fisheries ministers have ignored much of the scientific advice, setting TACs over the past five years that were on average 40% higher,’ says an Oceana statement.
“Continuing to disregard scientific advice not only jeopardizes the sustainability of the resource, but also compromises the profitability of the fishing industry and the livelihood of the communities that depend on it,” stated Xavier Pastor, Executive Director of Oceana Europe. “This decision will be a clear indicator of Member States’ will to achieve a successful Common Fisheries Policy reform. Pushing sustainability to the back of the political agenda is a mistake that we cannot afford to make.”
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