Thanks to the joint efforts of Spain and Portugal, the European Commission (EC) has approved the increase of the jointly caught Iberian sardine maximum limit from 14,000 to 17,000 tonnes for 2016, reported the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
The General Secretariat of Fisheries hopes that this increase allows the recovery of the Atlantic sardine stock in at least 4 per cent, which will mean the end of the reduction in catches over the last decade.
Fisheries Secretary General Andres Hermida, along with the director general of Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources, Jose Miguel Corvinos, met yesterday with representatives of the siege sector of Biscay and the Northwest as well as those from the Gulf of Cadiz and with regional leaders, to assess the development of the Iberian sardine fishing in the first half of the year, and to plan the fishing season in the second half.
At the meeting they analysed sardine consumption in both fishing grounds in the first six months, and it was found that the limits set in the Resolution developed by the Order on the management plan for this species had been respected.
Hermida also reported on the EC decision, and said it is justified by the encouraging scientific results, which show an improvement trend in stock status. The EC also took into account the socio-economic reports submitted by Spain and Portugal, which show the significant impact of this fishery in terms of economic activity and employment.
As a result of this increase, the Fisheries General Secretariat will immediately publish a Resolution, which was discussed with industry representatives to update the monthly limits upward.
Thus, from August 1 to November 30, it will be possible to capture 900 tonnes per month for the whole of the affected fleets, 150 tonnes more than the current 750 tonnes.
Ships from the Cantabrian and Northwest will have a maximum of 540 tonnes per month, compared to the previous 450 tonnes, and those from the Gulf of Cadiz will have 360 tonnes compared to the previous 300 tonnes.
For the xeito mode and for the total of the fishing season, the change will be from 175 to 210 tonnes.
The Ministry noted that these increases, which have been welcomed by those attending the meeting and are consistent with the stock biological condition improvement, are in line with the industry’s commitment to conservation and sustainability of this iconic species .
The Fisheries General Secretariat considers that with these figures it is possible to avoid the sharp fluctuations in maximum catch limits in the different seasons, which, together with the maintenance of the activity and employment, is considered one of the fundamental principles in the management of this fishery.
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