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The Bay of Biscay anchovy catch will be limited to 7,000 tonnes. (Photo: Anfaco)
Anchovy fishing launched in Bay of Biscay
 EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, March 01, 2010, 23:20 (GMT + 9)
This Monday the official season of anchovy fishing kicks off following a ban of five years in Bay of Biscay waters.
The European Union (EU) fisheries ministers signed an agreement last 15 December for the distribution of fishing quotas of the Community fleet in 2010, which included the re-opening of the anchovy fishery in the gulf as from 1 January of this year.
The agreement establishes a distribution of total allowable catch (TAC) of 80 per cent for Spain and the remaining 20 per cent for France.
Catches will be limited to 7,000 tonnes and conditional upon new scientific reports that will be released during the next European spring.
That is, the Spanish vessels will be able to capture 5,500 tonnes and French fishers, the rest.
Although the season begins today, the majority of the 180 vessels that conform the Spanish fleet of purse seiners will wait to fish a month more.
The sector estimates that there are more anchovies in April, since March is not a‘natural’month for capturing the species.
According to the president of the Biscay Guilds Federation, Inaki Zabaleta,“Some vessel may go now, but they will be few," El Pais reports.
Also, representatives of both nations’ seafood sectors agreed that the French fishers would relinquish 100 tonnes of anchovy and begin fishing on 1 June 2010.
In addition, anchovy fishing – segmented according to the modes of purse seiners or pelagics – finalises next 31 May.
Meanwhile, the Spanish Presidency of the European Union (EU) intends to approve the plan that will modify anchovy fishing management in the Bay of Biscay by June, and “the sooner [the better].” So affirmed the head of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) of Spain, Elena Espinosa.
The anchovy recovery plan of Cantabria proposes that future catch quotas be fixed in June and according to a technical mathematical formula, based on scientific data, without the need for a policy negotiation between Community ministers, as occurs now.
For the Spanish minister, the plan will permit the determining of operational conditions of a significant pelagic resource for local vessels and the French fleet.
Related articles:
- Spain moves to approve anchovy plan 'as soon as possible'
- French, Spanish amend anchovy accord
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member  ANFACO-CECOPESCA -Asociacion Nacional de Fabricantes de Conservas de Pescados y Mariscos-
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