EU and Norway in cod stalemate

Brussels, Belgium: An impasse between Norway and the European Union today has put the recovery of North Sea cod stocks at further risk.

Unable to reach an agreement with Norway, with which the EU co-manages North Sea waters, the European Commission could not issue a recommendation for quotas of most stocks of North Sea cod when it presented its annual recommendations for 2009 North-East Atlantic fisheries quotas.

Aaron McLoughlin, Head of WWF’s European Marine Programme said: “It is disappointing that the European Commission could not set out clear recommendations for North Sea cod stocks, whose recovery currently hangs in the balance.

“Every year thousands of tonnes of North Sea cod is needlessly thrown overboard, making a mockery of the whole quota system. As Norway is pushing for the EU to implement tougher discard measures, we hope that this delay in issuing recommendations means that the Commission is seeking a solution to the issue of discards.”

WWF believes cod stocks will only be preserved through the mandatory implementation of technical measures, including the use of more selective fishing gear to avoid catching cod in the first place, and the avoidance of fishing in areas with large concentrations of cod to enable the species to recover.

“Now Norway has an opportunity to drive a deal on tackling discards through its negotiations with the EU over fishing rights in the North Sea,” said McLoughlin. “Last year the EU agreed to cut their huge discards to 10 per cent and WWF are calling on Europe’s fisheries ministers to honour that commitment.”

WWF did welcome proposals to reduce fishing effort for North Sea sole and shrimp. The final decision on today's proposals will be made by EU Fisheries Ministers at the Council meeting on 17-19 December in Brussels.