EUROPEAN COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 3 October 2014
Commission proposes moderate decrease in deep-sea
fishing opportunities 2015-2016 to protect vulnerable
species
The European Commission has today proposed fishing opportunities for deep-sea fish
stocks in EU and international waters in the North-East Atlantic for 2015-2016. In line with
scientific advice, the Commission proposes an increase of total allowable catches (TACs)
for 4 stocks, a decrease for 9 stocks, and a status quo for 5 stocks as compared to 2014.
For 4 stocks, mainly deep-sea sharks, the proposal does not yet contain a figure, because
scientific advice will be delivered later this month.
European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, said: "Deep
sea ecosystems and fish stocks are particularly vulnerable to human activities, such as
fishing, and need appropriate protection. Hence, sustainable management is the only way
we can ensure the future of deep-sea fisheries. It is good news that the scientific advice
allows for increases for a number of these stocks, but unfortunately the situation is bleak
for most other stocks. We look forward to continue working with the Member States to
improve the knowledge on these stocks, and to work towards sustainable deep-sea
fisheries."
For the important stock of Roundnose grenadiers West of the British Isles, scientific advice
on how to achieve Maximum Sustainable Yield is available. Based on this, the Commission
proposes a moderate cut for this stock (-12%), which should allow it to be fished at
sustainable levels in 2015. For 2016 a small increase will be possible (+2%). For 4 stocks
of Greater forkbeard, the Commission proposes 10% increases.
For a number of other stocks, data is limited and a precautionary approach implies
significant cuts to protect the stocks. This is especially the case for Red seabream in the
areas West of Portugal and around the Azores. The scientific advice for the area West
Portugal even calls for the development of a recovery plan.
The Commission's proposals are based on scientific advice from the International Council
for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). However, available data for most deep-sea stocks
are insufficient to allow scientists to fully assess the stock status, either in terms of
number of fish or fishing mortality.
Background
Deep-sea fish are slow-growing and long-lived, which makes them particularly vulnerable
to fishing. They are caught in waters beyond the main fishing grounds of continental
shelves. They are distributed on the continental slopes or associated with seamounts.
IP/14/1084
Fishing for deep-sea species has been regulated by the European Union since 2003. Deepsea fisheries account for about 1% of fish landed from the North-East Atlantic. The catches
– and related jobs - have been declining for years, due to depleted stocks.
The poor state of key deep-sea stocks and the lack of scientific data clearly demonstrates
that a better management framework for deep-sea fisheries, as proposed by the
Commission in 2012 (see IP/12/813), remains highly necessary.
More information
 Table in annex: overview of the Commission's proposal for 2015 and 2016.
 Map of fishing areas:
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/publications/cfp_factsheets/fishing_ar
eas_en.pdf
 http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_en.htm
Contacts :
Helene Banner (+32 2 295 24 07)
Lone Mikkelsen (+32 2 296 05 67)
For the public: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or by e-mail
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Species
Deep-Sea sharks
Deep-sea sharks Deania hystricosa and
Deania profundorum
Black scabbardfish
Roundnose grenadier
and Roughhead
grenadier
Area
TAC in
2014
(tonnes)
TAC 2015
Proposal
TAC change: 20142015 Proposal (%)
TAC 2016 Proposal
TAC change: 20152016 Proposal (%)
EU and international waters of V,
VI, VII, VIII and IX
0
pm
pm
EU and international waters of X
0
pm
pm
International waters of XII
0
pm
pm
EU and international waters of I, II,
III and IV
9
9
0%
9
0%
EU and international waters of V,
VI, VII and XII
3966
3173
-20%
2538
-20%
EU and international waters of VIII,
IX and X
3700
3200
-14%
2768
-14%
EU and international waters of
CECAF 34.1.2.
3490
pm
EU and international waters of I, II
and IV
13
13
0%
13
0%
EU and international waters of III
544
435
-20%
348
-20%
EU and international waters of Vb,
VI, VII
4297
3794
-12%
3858
2%
EU and international waters of VIII,
IX, X, XII and XIV
3223
2578
-20%
2062
-20%
pm
Alfonsinos
Orange roughy
Red seabream
Greater forkbeard
EU and international waters of III,
IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV
296
280
-5%
280
0%
EU and international waters of VI
0
0
0%
0
0%
EU and international waters of VII
0
0
0%
0
0%
EU and international waters of I, II,
III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV
0
0
0%
0
0%
EU and international waters of VI,
VII and VIII
178
143
-20%
114
-20%
EU and international waters of IX
780
300
-62%
115
-62%
EU and international waters of X
920
610
-34%
400
-34%
EU and international waters of I, II,
III and IV
31
34
10%
34
-1%
EU and international waters of V,
VI and VII
2028
2239
10%
2239
0%
EU and international waters of VIII
and IX
267
295
10%
295
0%
EU and international waters of X
and XII
54
60
10%
60
1%
4