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A fisher with mackerel onboard. The government will be receiving fisher guild representatives this Wednesday. (Photo: FIS)
Fishers propose dipping into 2011 mackerel quota
SPAIN
Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 00:50 (GMT + 9)
The Provincial Federation of Fishers Guilds of Asturias will propose that 20 per cent of the mackerel quota for next year be issued early, or in its place, that compensation be offered to tackle the current situation.
Thus the president of the Federation, Dimas Garcia, announced to collectives of other affected autonomous communities, like Basque Country, Cantabria and Galicia.
In addition, he confirmed that the Secretary General of Marine Affairs, Juan Carlos Martin Fragueiro, will receive representatives of the guilds this Wednesday at the head offices of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM), in Madrid, El Comercio Digital reports.
The fishers hope that the government increases the mackerel quota considerably.
“As much as can be done, although we would be satisfied with an increase of 50 per cent,” Garcia said.
For the official, a review of the situation must be made to avoid that the present shutdown reproduce itself in 2011, as it “is affecting fifty boats and no less than 200 sailors” whose boats are moored.
"We must have better control over catches, ” he added.
Meanwhile, the Asturian fishers have rejected the possible concession of economic aid for inactivity.
On the issue, the director-general of Fisheries of the Principality, Marcelo Menendez Cuervo, indicated in
La Nueva España: “It is not very clear that shutdowns of the fleet for depletion of fishing quotas can be financed legally; but even so, what the fishers have stressed to me is that they want to work."
Last week,
the Secretariat General of Marine Affairs informed the fishers of Cantabria that it will not be possible to reopen the mackerel fishery.
The capture of this pelagic resource “cannot be reopened through the attainment of quotas of other Member States, since the total allowable catch (TAC) fixed for the same is distributed amongst a very reduced number of countries that have already committed their quotas,” the Secretariat explained.
Related article:
- Mackerel fishery opening ruled out
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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