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NAFO fishing areas. EU delegates defend the European fleet's interest at NAFO annual meeting. (Photo: NAFO/Stock File/FIS)
Fisheries sector looking forward to NAFO’s decisions
SPAIN
Friday, September 21, 2012, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
The Galician fishing industry operating in the Northwest Atlantic says a "greater sensitivity" to their claims is perceived by EU representatives participating in the 34th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), compared to previous years.
It is expected that the meeting, which began on Monday in St. Petersburg, Russia, culminates after taking important decisions on fisheries management in the area, such as the distribution of fishing quotas for next year.
In addition, the implementation of fisheries control measures and the protection of fishery resources are expected in NAFO waters.
For many owners, it is certain that 5 per cent will be reduced from Greenland halibut quota, the species having the greatest interest to the Spanish fleet – totally from Galicia --operating in NAFO. But an improvement is expected for cod, industry sources indicated in the newspaper Faro de Vigo.
Based on recent scientific reports, fishermen expect a significant increase in the quota for this species can be accepted, reaching more than 14,000 tonnes. For scientists, this quota would not affect cod sustainability.
During 2012, the maximum catch of cod in Newfoundland waters was 9,000 tonnes.
The negotiators sent from Brussels to St. Petersburg may have assumed the demand from industry to maintain the ray quota catches at about 8,500 tonnes against the request to set cuts.
The Spanish fleet consists of 24 vessels with fishing license in the area -- all of them from Vigo and O Morrazo --, among which are the only five remaining operational cod vessels.
Another concern for the sector is the demand to close other three fisheries of the area to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from the activity of trawlers.
Related article:
- Long-term fisheries sustainability discussed at NAFO annual meeting
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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