Having problems with message search?
Scientists urge ban on cod catch
A complete ban on North Sea cod fishing in 2007 is the main recommendation to European governments from their scientific advisors on fisheries.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (Ices) says stocks of cod, sandeel and anchovy remain below sustainable limits.
Ices has made the same recommendation on cod for the last four years, but ministers have gone against it.
The full report is released on Friday, with quotas decided in December.
It contains better news on some other species. Norwegian spring
spawning herring is recovering, and Ices is recommending an increase of
about 75% in its quota.
Unfortunately we have not seen clear signals of recovery for the depleted cod stocks
Smaller quota increases are recommended for mackerel and hake, while small reductions are urged for plaice, blue whiting and sole.
Recovery prevented
Martin Pastoors, chair of the Ices committee which reviewed the scientific data, said: "Unfortunately we have not seen clear signals of recovery for the depleted cod stocks.
"These stocks have a high growth potential, but the continued catches from these stocks in combination with very low recruitment (development of adult fish) have prevented a recovery."
European Fisheries commissioner Joe Borg welcomed "positive elements"
in the report, but industry figures maintain a ban on cod fishing is
unrealistic.
The question remains when will politicians follow the scientific advice
Mr Borg said long-term management plans, such as the plan already implemented for hake stocks to the west of Britain, Ireland and France, is the key to restoring depleted species.
"Today's news... shows that our long-term approach to the management of EU fisheries is starting to bear some fruit," he said.
"This should encourage us all to redouble our efforts to reverse the
decline in our fisheries and to move gradually towards sustainable
catches and a stable fishing sector."
Environment and conservation groups are urging EU ministers to accept the scientific advice when they meet in December.
"This is the fifth year in a row that their scientific advice recommends a zero catch of cod in the North Sea, west of Scotland, and Irish Sea," said Dr Tom Pickerell, fisheries policy officer with WWF-UK.
"The question remains when will politicians follow the scientific advice?"
"Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you." (Leviticus 20:7-8)
"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." (1 Chronicles 16:34)
"I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell." (Psalm 86:12-13)
Offline 
Send Email