Sep
23
Cod capture. (Photo: SCArchive)
Galician fishermen expect slight increase in halibut quota
SPAIN
Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 02:30 (GMT + 9)
About 30 Galician vessels are eagerly waiting for participants of the meeting of the Organization of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (NAFO) being held this week in Vigo, to define the total allowable catch (TAC) for next year.
The head of the General Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA), Andres Hermida, remarked that “big surprises” are not expected in the decisions of the plenary, but a “readjustment” in cod quotas has been considered possible.
“According to reports, it is a complicated issue to deal with the allocation resulting here. It should be remembered that last year there was a very substantial increase and it is likely that there is an adjustment in the figures,” he stated.
Hermida also expects “a small increase” in Greenland halibut TAC, of about 0.8 per cent, and the maintenance of ray and redfish quotas, taking into account the latest scientific reports.
“We hope that, as we have always defended it, clear and precise assessment of the scientific reports must be carried out but always considering the social, economic and sustainable viewpoints,” he indicated, the newspaper Faro de Vigo informed.
On the other hand, the secretary for Rural and Marine Affairs of the Xunta de Galicia, Rosa Quintana, expressed her trust that the results of the meeting are “good for the Galician fleet.”
“It is important to defend the triple balance: economic, social and environmental one,” she stressed.
In this sense, the president of the Cooperative of Shipowners of Vigo (ARVI), Javier Touza, will speak at the meeting of NAFO to “make the representatives of various international delegations aware of the social and economic importance of fisheries in Vigo.”
Out of the 15,578 tonnes of Greenland halibut that can be caught in NAFO waters, Spain has been allocated 4,300 tonnes, that is to say, 28 per cent of the total, the newspaper La Voz de Galicia informed.
No changes in ray, loach and redfish are anticipated. Spanish fishermen can catch 3,403 tonnes of the 7,000 tonnes set between 2014 and 2015, so no rebate or any rise is expected.
As for redfish, 6,500 tonnes have been set for zone 3M and 20,000 for 3O, of which Spain had 1,771 tonnes in each case.
Of loach, which is caught in the area 3NO, Spain received between 255 and 510 tonnes of the quota of 1,000 tonnes that was the total amount.
Quintana highlighted the “enormous sacrifice” that the Galician fleet operating on the fishing ground has made and urged experts to make the “right” decisions and recalled that the control and surveillance work is very important.
“The scientists’ rigour, shipowners and fishermen’s responsibility as well as administrations’ control must walk together to ensure the fishing activity for future generations,” added the Galician secretary.
“We have risked the sector’s image in this meeting,” said Touza. “There is a lot of interest from shipowners and the institutions and the fact it is here means a lot.”
“We fight for sustainability, we’re willing to take sacrifices, with our ‘homework’ ready after the strong social impact posed by the reductions in employment and after denouncing illegal fishing,” ARVI president added.
Meanwhile, NAFO president, Veronika Veits, promised to be “careful” with the decisions and that they will consider the scientific recommendations.
Related article:
– NAFO maintains stable quotas for Spanish fleet
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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